Before the dawn of our digital age, telephone switchboards stood at the forefront of communication technology. These seemingly archaic contraptions played a pivotal role in connecting voices from coast to coast, city to town, and house to house. Dive into some fascinating facts that highlight the evolution and tales of these manual marvels. 1. Switching … Continue reading 4 Tidbits About Telephone Switchboards: The Lines Connecting History
Inventing the Iconic: Robert C. Baker and the Birth of Chicken Nuggets
Robert C. Baker, a professor of food science at Cornell University, devised the concept of the chicken nugget in the 1950s. He referred to this new food item as the “Chicken Crispie,” which was a small chunk of chicken enveloped in batter and subsequently deep-fried. Rather than seeking a patent for his creation, Baker took a more academic approach, opting to share his groundbreaking recipe with hundreds of corporations without any patent protection.
The Wacky World of Vintage Vending Machines
In 1931, vending machines experienced a unique innovation when they began selling single lighted cigarettes to customers. These machines provided a convenient way for individuals to purchase just one lit cigarette at a time, offering an on-the-go smoking experience. While there have been numerous unusual and bizarre vending machines throughout history, one of the craziest […]
Wright Brothers: Bridging Ohio and North Carolina in Aviation History
The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were American inventors and pioneers in aviation. They owned a bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, where they developed their mechanical skills and funded their aeronautical pursuits. In 1903, they achieved their historic milestone with the Wright Flyer, a biplane that completed a 12-second, 120-foot flight. The Wright Brothers’ invention […]
Josephine Cochrane: The Inventor of the Dishwasher
Josephine Cochrane was motivated to invent the dishwasher after growing frustrated with her expensive china breaking while being washed by hand. In 1886, she designed and built the first practical dishwasher, which used water pressure to clean dishes more efficiently than hand washing. Cochrane’s invention was initially marketed towards commercial establishments but later became popular […]
The Birth of the TV Dinner: How Swanson Transformed Mealtime
Swanson ended up with an unexpected 260 tons of frozen turkey after Thanksgiving in 1953. This led to the creation of the iconic TV Dinner, which revolutionized mealtime for busy Americans. The original TV Dinners came in aluminum trays and were marketed as a convenient and modern way to enjoy a complete meal in front […]
Heinrich Hertz’s Discovery of Radio Waves and Legacy
Heinrich Hertz, the German physicist, is known for discovering electromagnetic waves, which we now know as radio waves, in 1887. However, when asked about the practical applications of his discovery, he replied, “Nothing, I guess.” He was more interested in studying the fundamental properties of electricity and magnetism. Hertz died at the young age of […]
The Accidental Invention of the Slurpee
The Slurpee was invented by accident when a Dairy Queen owner improvised an Icee machine using car parts after his soda fountain broke down, which was eventually licensed by 7-Eleven and became a worldwide hit.
The first public toilet
George Jennings created the public toilet which was first unveiled at the Great Exhibition in 1851. It was available for use at the cost of one penny, and this led to the popularization of the phrase “To spend a penny” as a euphemism for using the toilet in the United Kingdom. During the exhibition, the […]
Baby carrots
Contrary to popular belief, baby carrots are not naturally occurring, they were invented in 1986 by Farmer Mike Yurosek. He came up with the idea of chopping up normal carrots that were not marketable due to their shape, packaging them in bags and selling them in supermarkets. By the early 1990s, baby carrots had become […]