Tag Archives: inventions

February 21, 1947

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Joel Byers

On February 21, 1947, American inventor, Edwin Land, presented and demonstrated his invention, the Polaroid Land Camera, to the Optical Society of America in New York City. It was the first camera that was able to take, develop, and print a picture in around 60 seconds. The photos were in black and white and the … Continue reading →

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January 2, 1906

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Joel Byers

On January 2, 1906, Willis Carrier received a US patent for the world’s first air conditioner. Soon afterward, the cult of Willis Carrier began in Jesup, Georgia. Acolytes were easily identified as they were usually smiling and saying, “It’s not the… Continue reading →

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December 4, 1812

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Joel Byers

On December 4, 1812, Peter Gaillard of Lancaster, Pennsylvania became the patron saint of jean shorts wearing, white tennis shoe owning, grill mastering American dads throughout the world. He patented the first power mower. All… Continue reading →

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May 22, 1892

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Joel Byers

On May 22, 1892, Dr. Washington Sheffield, dental surgeon, invented the toothpaste tube. He also provided instructions on how to use the tube. The instructions were; 1. With thine fingers might, apply a gentle vise-like squeeze… Continue reading →

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March 20, 1885

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Joel Byers

On March 20, 1885, Jan Matzeliger of Lynn, Massachusetts patented the shoe lacing machine. He’d previously patented a machine that manufactured shoes, putting thousands of gnomes out of business. When Quamorra Leathertack of the International Brotherhood of Gnomist Machinists and Leatherworkers was informed of the shoe lacing machine, he lost it. He was quoted as … Continue reading →

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March 19, 1883

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Joel Byers

On March 19, 1883, Jan Matzeliger of Lynn, Massachusetts invented the first machine that manufactured entire shoes. This invention did two things. First, it made shoes much more affordable for the common man. Second, it put shoe making gnomes right out of business. Quamorra Leathertack of the International Brotherhood of Gnomist Machinists and Leatherworkers was … Continue reading →

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January 27, 1926

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Joel Byers

On January 27, 1926, Scottish inventor, John Baird, demonstrated his pictorial transmission machine, which he also called a television. He said the picture only came in black, white, and grey and he wanted to know “why ye needed any more than that, you extravagant bastards!”

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December 12, 1955

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Joel Byers

On December 12, 1955, British engineer Christopher Cockerell patented the first hovercraft. It is not true that he named the first hovercraft “A Légpárnásom Tele Van Angolnákkal”.

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December 6, 1877

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Joel Byers

On December 6, 1877, inventor Thomas Edison demonstrated the first gramophone for the public, with a recording of himself reciting Mary Had a Little Lamb. It was later shown that if you played it backwards, it said, “Won og ot rus saw bmal elttil taht, tnew dlihc eht rehwyreve dna, heay – ALL HAIL THE … Continue reading →

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November 14, 1856

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Joel Byers

On November 14, 1856, American inventor Gail Borden was issued a patent for the technology related to his invention of condensed milk. He said the hardest part was shrinking the cows down to the correct size because it was a real mess when the cows imploded in the shrinking process. He also said that if … Continue reading →

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