The Computer

Invention: The Computer

The Computer has changed society greatly in how people get instant information on news, communicate with distant friends or family and learning about a wide variety of topics. From war to teaching, business and entertainment. This technology is used in everyday life by many people all over the world.

An invention that led up to the computer was the calculator. Made during World War II, the calculator would fill up an entire room. The purpose was to solve long math problems. A calculator would speed up the solving process and get the right answer.

The Train

Invention: The Train
Invented: before 1830
Nick named the "iron horse."

Fact: In America, the train helped the North to win the Civil War by transporting supplies.

The train has been a powerful influence in war, the Great Depression and business. During the Great Depression, many men and teenage boys hopped on the train to go searching for jobs to provide for their families. Traveling by train was very common in the 1930's.

With this transportation, goods and people can be transferred faster and farther. 

"America's first steam-powered railroad—the Baltimore & Ohio—opened in 1830, and within decades hundreds of thousands of railway miles crisscrossed the nation. Today, 182 years later, the descendants of those first railroads—including CSX Transportation—continue to play a key role in our lives, moving millions of carloads of freight each year" wrote the History Channel. 

Info from:
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-trains

First Flight

First successful flight: by the Wright brothers
Date: Dec. 17, 1903
Flight time: 12 seconds
Distance: 120 feet
Location: Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

The History Channel claims that the Wright Brothers' fasination for flying was started in 1878 when their father gave them a toy. The object would fly through the air from being pulled back by a rubber band.

Years later on the historic day the Wright Brothers had done several more tests and set the record for flying time up to 59 seconds, 47 seconds longer than the first flight. Since the invention people are able to travel even farther and to different continents without taking a boat.

Photo from: https://www.google.com/search?q=first+flight&hl=en&rlz=1R2SKPT_enUS419&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=_ZFcUZ6fJIPVyQGX6IGACw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1129&bih=488#imgrc=0LySfeZ0T9_qaM%3A%3BrNeJ2AUvefBY0M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nasa.gov%252Fimages%252Fcontent%252F206308main_image_976_946-710.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nasa.gov%252Fmultimedia%252Fimagegallery%252Fimage_feature_976.html%3B946%3B710

The Television

Ever wonder what the first image of TV image looked like? After watching this video I can see how dramatically the television has changed from size and image. People were excited about this new invention even though it would be decades before the television came into homes.

The Wheel

   One of the most popular inventions that has been used for thousands of years is the wheel. It may be surprising that something so simple had to be invented, but it was. Wheels are commonly used for transportation and the making of pottery. They've helped decrease travel time and increase load amounts. People can travel father because of it. Other wheels have assisted with making beautifully round pottery like bowls and plates.

The Pay Phone

 

Modern Marvels (on the History Channel) give an excellent demonstration of how pay phones were used in the 1950's. Plus viewers get to see one of the earliest pay phones.

 Here is a question to think about. In the 1950's, a pay phone could not tell how much money was put in them, whether the coin be a dime, nickle or quarter. How did people connect long distance verse local if the pay phone couldn't tell the difference in money? Watch the short video to find out.

The Car

In the beginning of the 20th century cars started to become numerous.  The vehicles were more convient than horses because the owners did not have to worry about feeding or calling the vet like they do with animals. Cars, however, were expensive when they first came out.

Below is a link to the growth in the number of cars put out by the Ford Company. It gives an idea as to how popular cars were based on business.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ford-builds-its-1-millionth-car

Also here is a video about the cars the Ford Company put out. I like the fact that you can see the models instead of just reading about them.

Video:
http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels/videos/car-invented-world-drastically-changed#car-invented-world-drastically-changed

Photo from: https://www.google.com/search?q=ford+car+1920&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GNRQUYWCOsKVygHIsYCoDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1110&bih=488#imgrc=0Ug6SIR_gyLtXM%3A%3B2VSNbcCbelLv8M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-fWC3_PTn0rw%252FTp53Z9T4BwI%252FAAAAAAAABXE%252FRq-kVRLkYRM%252Fs1600%252F1920_ford_model_t_coupe_1_cd_gallery.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ffluentbeauty.blogspot.com%252F2011%252F10%252Ffashion-through-decades-1920s.html%3B576%3B352