Advancements in Household Technology

Ebooks

2009 BCE

Kindle released their ebooks and online newpaper subscriptions. A way for people to stay connected to world events without all the paper and no need for it to be mailed, delivered, or purchased at a news stand.

Facebook

2004 BCE

Stay connected with friends all over the world. No need for keeping current address books. Find all your friends in one place and follow them on their timelines. Communicate through messenger and now voice and video chat is available.

Skype

2003 BCE

Skype is a way of staying in touch with family from all over. It is a way to communicate through video, not just audio! Loved ones can keep in touch with grandchildren and actually watch them grow.

Roomba

2002 BCE

Vacuuming without any of the work. This vacuum is a robot that vacuums your home for you.

Bluetooth

2002 BCE

Bluetooth allows you to connect all of your devices, now even your car, wirelessly. Answer phone calls through your car speakers, download your music, etc.

Postmodern Era

Period: 2000 BCE to 2017 BCE

2000's to present

Computer Mouse

1999 BCE

This made it easier to navigate the computer

Dishwasher

1987 BCE

While the first had powered dishwasher was invented in the 1850's, it wasn't until 1987 that they made their way into U.S. homes. Today, more than 75% of homes have dishwashers.

Internet

1983 BCE

1983 marked the start of modern internet. By 2000 51% of all telecommunication is through internet and still growing rapidly. It has become our main resource of information all around the world.

Post It notes

1980 BCE

Post It notes are still used today and great for using as book marks, making small notes and reminders!

Huggies Disposable Diapers

1978 BCE

Replaced cloth diapers. Made diaper changing quickier and easier. Disposable could be tossed in the trash, where as cloth diapers had to be washed.

Cell Phone

1973 BCE

Developed in 1973 but came to the U.S. in 1983, cell phones were a luxury item for a long time, but were always appreciated for their convenience in being able to get a hold of someone no matter where they were.

Handheld Calculator

1967 BCE

Allowed families to quickly budget their money by simply pressing a few buttons.

Collapsible Baby Buggy

1965 BCE

This made it easier to get out and about with baby while needing to run errands that may require a bit of walking.

Velcro

1957 BCE

Largely used for shoes, instead of laces. This saved time and made it easier for children to get their own shoes on.

AA Batteries

1957 BCE

Batteries allowed electronic items to become portable and no need for an outlet.

Birth Control Pills

1957 BCE

Gave women more control over there fertility and more control over family sizes.

Shopping Mall

1956 BCE

The first shopping mall to ever open in the U.S. was the Scottsdale Center. Shopping Malls allowed families to get everything they needed all in one place.

Infant Tylenol

1955 BCE

First offered as a prescription for infant pain a fever. Before this, parents relied on home remedies to help with a child's fever.

Non-Stick Pan

1954 BCE

Made cooking easier, less need for grease and fats.

TV Dinner

1953 BCE

First invented by Swanson's and was a huge success. The meal allowed for a quick and easy meal and less time in the kitchen for clean up, seeing as how the meal came in a disposable tray.

Credit Card

1950 BCE

Credit cards were first designed to be used for fuel purchases for car owners. Later the credit card evolved into what it is today. This allowed people to borrow money when they may not have had the means to pay for something, otherwise.

Modern Era

Period: 1950 BCE to 2000 BCE

1950's to early 21st century

Tubberware

1946 BCE

Convenient to store and transport food. Also not as fragile as glass and safe for children to handle.

Microwave

1945 BCE

Cut down on cooking time and easily reheat left overs.

Clothes Dryer

1935 BCE

Hanging clothes on a line to dry took time. In the winter months it was hard to get clothes to dry at all. Stringing clothes through the house, near wood stoves and fire places was inconvenient. The dryer was a solution to this problem.

Air Conditioning

1930 BCE

This made being indoors through the summer months more enjoyable for families.

Washing Machine

1930 BCE

Wringer Washer was developed in 1854, more effective washing machines began to show up in more homes in the 1930's. Clothes were able to be washed more quickly and efficiently, leaving more time to do other things around the home.

Automobile

1910 BCE

Families were able to travel longer distances in less time.

Electric Standing Mixer

1908 BCE

Herbert Johnson first developed a commercial mixer, but in 1919 introduced one for the home. Dough no longer had to be mixed by hand. This saved time and your hand from cramping.

Electric Iron

1903 BCE

Made iron clothes more effective and efficient

Vacuum Cleaner

1901 BCE

Made cleaning floors much easier. No more needing to beat rugs outside. When first invented, vacuums were used by a licensee and still remained a luxury item for many years after.

Premodern

Period: 1900 BCE to 1950 BCE

early 1900s

Light Bulb

1879 BCE

Families could see within the home better once the sun went down in the evenings. Light bulbs were a better source of light than candles. More detailed oriented projects could be worked on at night.

Refrigerator

1876 BCE

Invented in 1876 but did not become common in households until around 1915. Before this, people depended on always having ice for their iceboxes and could not store large amount of food that needed refrigeration, easily.

Kerosene Lamps

1856 BCE

Kerosene was invented in 1856 by Abraham Gresner. These took the place of candles and made for easy, portable light.