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Period: to
Timespan of technological innovations
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Typewriter was invented
Christopher Latham Sholes, a Milwaukee newspaper man and part time inventor, invented the typewriter. This was the first of many inventions that improved office efficiency. In 1892 the "new and improved"model was released. The cash register was invented in 1879, and the adding machine in 1885. This increased office worker productivity and fueled the rise of big business. -
The first Transcontinental Railroad completed
The first Transcontinental Railroad was completed when the Central Pacific Railroad crossed with the Union Pacific Railroad in Promontory Summit, Utah.Now one could travel across the US in six days, instead of what had been four to six months trip.This was the cornerstone of industrializing America as well as enabling the travel of it's citizens. -
Telephone patented by Alexander Graham Bell
Bell patented the telephone and received financial backing to form the National Bell Telephone Company. The Bell company morphed into the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, otherwise known as AT&T still doing business today. -
Thomas Edison invents the incandescent light bulb
Edison created the light bulb in 1879, by 1882 he was supplying electricity to small numbers in NYC. With the financial help of J.P. Morgan he formed Edison Electric Illuminating Company. Nicola Tesla went on to develop AC power sourcing for the Westinghouse Electric Company. This invention now meant that electricity could run 24/7-so factories could operate non stop. This increased urbanization and industrialization. -
Electric Trolley invented
In 1887 Frank Sprague invented the electric power trolley to replace horse drawn transit. This took place in Richmond, Va. Over time, it proved difficult to navigate through congested crowds with the electric trolley. This led to the concept of elevating the trolley above street level, and avoiding the crowds. Eventually, the trains were relocated underground, and the subway system was born! -
Thomas Edison invents the kinetoscope
Thomas Edison debuted his kinetoscope in 1893. He and WKL Dickson created "The Black Maria", the first movie studio in 1893. Filmmaker D.W. Griffith filmed the first movie ever shot in Hollywood, California in 1910. The movie was entitled "In Old California" ironically. The Hollywood movie industry took off in the early 1920's. In 1927, the first "talkie" movie was released in NYC entitled "The Jazz Singer". How exciting it must have been to see and hear a movie for the first time! -
Henry Ford unveils his Model T automobile
Henry Ford first debuted his model T on this day in 1908. He was not the first to invent the automobile, but he was revolutionary in that he made the dream affordable for middle class Americans. The Model T sold for $850 dollars in 1908, but in 1924 was only $300 dollars. This was due to his innovative assembly line approach developed over time. -
First commercial radio broadcast
KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA made our nations first commercial broadcast. It was election day and revolutionary because citizens could hear the results live before reading it in the newspaper the next day. Radios were a common fixture in homes. Radio became a source of entertainment for Americans, with syndicated radio shows such as "Amos and Andy". Radio also brought sports entertainment into American homes. People could "listen" to a game from the comfort of their own couch. -
Clarence Birdseye-the birth of frozen food
Clarence Birdseye is credited with developing the quick freezing technique to create frozen foods. This was truly revolutionary because it changed the way American women fed their families. With the advent of frozen foods, this freed up time for women to focus on other things such as education. This helped contribute to the "women's movement". Thank goodness for Clarence Birdseye!
