Science > Inventions

Timeline of Everyday Inventions

Copycats


typewriter
Arttoday.com

1875
Typewriter
1900
Photocopying (camera takes a photo of an original)
1906
Photostats (copies made on light-sensitive paper instead of film)
1938
Xerography (a dry process, with no liquid developer)
1938
Tape recorder
1963
Home video recorder
1988
Facsimile (fax) machine

What Counts


Abacus

3000 B.C.
Abacus (board with beads for mathematical functions)
1623 A.D.
Mechanical calculator
1642
Adding machine
1946
Electronic computer
1963
Disk storage for computer
1969
The Internet
1970
Floppy disk
1971
Pocket calculator
1972
Compact disk
1975
Desktop computer
1976
Apple computer
1981
IBM Personal computer
1984
Laserdisc storage
1998
More than 20 percent of all U.S. households are online
1995
DVD (digital video disk)

For information on the origins of the Internet, see the Internet Timeline.

Let There Be Light



1906
Light bulbs (tungsten)
1910
Neon light
1915
Searchlight arc
1936
Fluorescent light
1960
Laser light used in U.S.

High-Tech Talking
1876
Telephone patented
1893
Motion pictures (movies)
1899
Tape recorder
1927
Television
1933
FM radio
1951
Long-distance dialing in the U.S.
1956
Transatlantic telephone cable
1963
Pushbutton telephone in U.S.
Home video recorder
1972
Compact disk
1979
Sony Walkman
1983
Cellular phones in U.S.: mobile phones for cars, transportable phones carried in a case, and portable phones carried in hand
1994
Digital camera
1995
DVD (digital video disk)
2003
Camera phones

Making Life Easier: Household Heroes
washing machine, early version
Library of Congress

1810
Canned food is introduced.
1834
The first refrigerator is invented.
1836
Gas stoves are used in homes.
1869
Margarine is produced.
1901
Electric washing machine is invented.
1906
The lightbulb is introduced.
1907
Electric vacuum cleaner is introduced.
1909
Electric toaster is made.
1911
Air conditioning is invented.
1928
Sliced bread is introduced.
1940
Automatic dishwasher is manufactured.
1967
Compact microwave ovens are sold.

Bits and Pieces

A 13-year-old boy received a patent for biodegradable golf tees in 1991.


1832
Matches
1845
Rubber bands
1879
Mechanical pencil
1888
Ball-point pen
1900
Paper clips
1937
Cellophane tape
1960
Felt-tip pens
1980
Post-It Notes

For more inventions, see Inventions & Discoveries.


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A Guide to Inventions and Discoveries:
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