Johannes Gutenberg's 15th-century printing press produced six pages a day. Richard Hoe's giant press in the 1850s, using rolls of cheap paper several miles long, churned out 20,000 newspaper pages an hour for an information-hungry world.....[ More ]
High-Volume Printing Press:
Johannes Gutenberg's 15th-century printing press produced six pages a day. Richard Hoe's giant press in the 1850s, using rolls of cheap paper several miles long, churned out 20,000 newspaper pages an hour for an information-hungry world
It's About People:
This may be the first photograph ever taken of a human face: Miss Dorothy Catherine Draper, taken by her brother John William Draper in 1840 (or perhaps 1839).....[ More ]
It's About People:
This may be the first photograph ever taken of a human face: Miss Dorothy Catherine Draper, taken by her brother John William Draper in 1840 (or perhaps 1839).[ Less ] [ Link to this slide ]
Credit:Scientific American, June 5, 1915
Thinking Machine:
This device by S. Bent Russell is one of many machines that can manipulate information using various mathematical and logical theories. Perhaps it is more of a paving stone than a milestone on the path to the modern computer.....[ More ]
Thinking Machine:
This device by S. Bent Russell is one of many machines that can manipulate information using various mathematical and logical theories. Perhaps it is more of a paving stone than a milestone on the path to the modern computer
Steel, Backbone of Modernity:
Henry Bessemer patented his method in 1856 for cheaply transforming low-quality brittle pig iron into strong steel. The system built around the Bessemer converter is still at the heart of steel production today.....[ More ]
Steel, Backbone of Modernity:
Henry Bessemer patented his method in 1856 for cheaply transforming low-quality brittle pig iron into strong steel. The system built around the Bessemer converter is still at the heart of steel production today.
Connecting the World:
Advances in metallurgy and civil engineering within a burgeoning economy helped usher in the era of big construction, linking communities by bridge, road and railroad.....[ More ]
Connecting the World:
Advances in metallurgy and civil engineering within a burgeoning economy helped usher in the era of big construction, linking communities by bridge, road and railroad.
The Elevator City:
The elevator safety device patented by Elisha Graves Otis, coupled with some adroit marketing, made the elevator safe, popular and widespread. The comparison view shows the Manhattan skyline before the elevator and after.....[ More ]
The Elevator City:
The elevator safety device patented by Elisha Graves Otis, coupled with some adroit marketing, made the elevator safe, popular and widespread. The comparison view shows the Manhattan skyline before the elevator and after.[
Writing Mechanized:
A typewriter helps people communicate more efficiently across space and time. Even with this early version of a typewriter invented by Alfred Ely Beach in 1856. These days the computer and printer fulfill the same function.....[ More ]
Writing Mechanized:
A typewriter helps people communicate more efficiently across space and time. Even with this early version of a typewriter invented by Alfred Ely Beach in 1856. These days the computer and printer fulfill the same function.[
Edison:
A wealth of ideas and a lifetime of acheivement. Thomas Alva Edison symbolizes the prime ingredient in inventions, the person toiling to perfect them: genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.....[ More ]
Edison:
A wealth of ideas and a lifetime of acheivement. Thomas Alva Edison symbolizes the prime ingredient in inventions, the person toiling to perfect them: genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.
Banishing the Night:
The electric light bulband delivery of electricity to private homes and businesseshas a complex history. Three milestones lighting the way (left to right) arc lamp by Pavel Jablochkoff (1876); light bulb by Thomas Alva Edison (1879); arc lamp by Charles F.....[ More ]
Banishing the Night:
The electric light bulband delivery of electricity to private homes and businesseshas a complex history. Three milestones lighting the way (left to right) arc lamp by Pavel Jablochkoff (1876); light bulb by Thomas Alva Edison (1879); arc lamp by Charles F. Brush (1878).
Turbines Power the World:
Charles Parsons (inset photo) first developed his turbine in 1884. By 1915 turbines such as the ones in this image generated most of the electricity in power stationsand they still do 100 years later.....[ More ]
Turbines Power the World:
Charles Parsons (inset photo) first developed his turbine in 1884. By 1915 turbines such as the ones in this image generated most of the electricity in power stationsand they still do 100 years later. Most people never see such machines but they have an outsize influence on our daily life.
Alien Environments:
Mankind has been able to develop many forms of protection to extend the ability to survive in environments that are hostile: space, under the sea, places that are chemically dangerous. These fire respirators from 1915 are instantly recognizable as one kind of such protection.....[ More ]
Alien Environments:
Mankind has been able to develop many forms of protection to extend the ability to survive in environments that are hostile: space, under the sea, places that are chemically dangerous. These fire respirators from 1915 are instantly recognizable as one kind of such protection.
Supercold Physics:
Heike Kammerlingh Onnes in his laboratory, 1915. Onnes discovered the phenomenon of superconductivity in 1911. His work is one of the triumphs of physics in pushing the boundary of theoretical and applied knowledge.....[ More ]
Supercold Physics:
Heike Kammerlingh Onnes in his laboratory, 1915. Onnes discovered the phenomenon of superconductivity in 1911. His work is one of the triumphs of physics in pushing the boundary of theoretical and applied knowledge.[
The Automobile:
The landscape of the world has been changed by cars and the industries and infrastructure built around them. Charles and Frank Duryea built the first gasoline-powered road car in the United States. Here, Frank driving their second model car.....[ More ]
The Automobile:
The landscape of the world has been changed by cars and the industries and infrastructure built around them. Charles and Frank Duryea built the first gasoline-powered road car in the United States. Here, Frank driving their second model car.
First Successful Airplane:
The Langley Aerodrome No. 5 flew 3,300 feet on May 6, 1896. It was an unpiloted model with a wingspan of 14 feet, powered by a steam engine. Seven years later the Wright brothers first successfully piloted a full-sized airplane in free flight.....[ More ]
First Successful Airplane:
The Langley Aerodrome No. 5 flew 3,300 feet on May 6, 1896. It was an unpiloted model with a wingspan of 14 feet, powered by a steam engine. Seven years later the Wright brothers first successfully piloted a full-sized airplane in free flight.
Entertain Us!:
The Victrola was hand-cranked and played records acoustically (not elecronically). The Victor Talking Machines company signed stars such as Enrico Caruso. Our entertainment technology has much improved, although some would argue our talent has not.....[ More ]
Entertain Us!:
The Victrola was hand-cranked and played records acoustically (not elecronically). The Victor Talking Machines company signed stars such as Enrico Caruso. Our entertainment technology has much improved, although some would argue our talent has not.
Survival:
Our technology can be perilous. Fortunately, technnology rescues us as well. Mr. Traugott Beek of Newark devised and patented in 1877 what may be the first ever survival suit for those who are shipwrecked or immersed in frigid waters.....[ More ]
Survival:
Our technology can be perilous. Fortunately, technnology rescues us as well. Mr. Traugott Beek of Newark devised and patented in 1877 what may be the first ever survival suit for those who are shipwrecked or immersed in frigid waters.
My grandparents told me about all kinds of inventions that came along through the years. They had the first radio in their small town of Hawesville, KY, and Uncle Louie, (pictured), had one of these:
Thomas Edison has been credited for many inventions that were created by his employees rather than himself. The electric light bulb may well be one of them, the movie projector another.
What is really amazing is how inventions and discoveries are multiplying exponentially as time goes on.
I had not heard that general charge against Edison, though I do remember reading somewhere that a couple of his "inventions" involved collaborative efforts that history has not recognized
Thanks for sharing that perspective
I however heartily agree that
inventions and discoveries are multiplying exponentially as time goes on.
I have a piece of it! The base of the camera and the wooden frames that slide back and forth... The accordion pleated section is long gone, and I'm not sure I have the lens...
I don't have this, either, but I knew we had one of these-- I have the operating instructions for it.
Fear automation....beware the rise of the machines......
The end is near
Yeah I saw your article, it was a good one, though I disagree with the premise that innovation, automation and progress are a bad thing
You are right individual innovativeness and creative inventors have raised society to heights unseen in the past and the climb is not over and innovation and technological advances are continuing,
More important things going on in my life than wasting time and energy "fearing" what might happen in the future.
Change and societal transformative developments have always been "scary" in some ways but the anticipation of the good that can come of progress is more important to me than fearing the rise of the bots.
I guess we will just have to agree to see this issue from two different points of view.
Prof Hawking isn't always right. Besides, it's not impossible that AI will do a better job in this world than humanity has, notwithstanding scary Sci-Fi stories.
Regardless of who is on your side, it is fine with me that you choose to fear the future while I choose to look forward to it with anticipation.
I am quite familiar with Prof Hawking and his thoughts on AI and as I recall he usually uses the words "might" and "could" in discussing the possible outcomes of AI and other aspects of technology advances.
Different strokes as they say.
Thanks a lot for all the back and forth discussion
I remember when I was small, my grandmother and her neighbors would get together and can their butts off for days and everyone went home with a basement full of jars for the winter.
Swann sued Edison for the infringement on the light blub and won. Edison was forced to take in Swann as a partner, he later bought Swann out. Swann was not an employee of Edison.
Also Frank Upton, was involved with many of the inventions who was an employee of Edison.
I understand respect for the unknown, that is prudent, you brought up fear of the future and AI which is why I focused on the "fear factor" (no pun intended).
Respect, anticipation and wariness of what might happen is a reasonable approach
Inventions that changed the world - way back then!
The people likely thought the world was changing much too fast at the time.
I wonder what they would think about today's technologies and the new vehicles and technologies that are being invented on practically a daily basis.
I don't think that you know that much about anatomy, bf. That is for your back. It's not shaped properly for anywhere else.
An informational and great article!
My grandparents told me about all kinds of inventions that came along through the years. They had the first radio in their small town of Hawesville, KY, and Uncle Louie, (pictured), had one of these:
Dowser
Very cool!
Is the camera still in the family? If so, you have a valuable piece of history I bet
Thanks for the feedback and the picture
Dowser
You are confusing the crude message with facts - he won't like that!
Thomas Edison has been credited for many inventions that were created by his employees rather than himself. The electric light bulb may well be one of them, the movie projector another.
What is really amazing is how inventions and discoveries are multiplying exponentially as time goes on.
Buzz
I had not heard that general charge against Edison, though I do remember reading somewhere that a couple of his "inventions" involved collaborative efforts that history has not recognized
Thanks for sharing that perspective
I however heartily agree that
I have a piece of it! The base of the camera and the wooden frames that slide back and forth... The accordion pleated section is long gone, and I'm not sure I have the lens...
I don't have this, either, but I knew we had one of these-- I have the operating instructions for it.
Dowser
Very cool
I seem to remember hearing about the Burpee sealer in my younger days but am not so sure where.
J W
Fear automation....beware the rise of the machines......
The end is near
Yeah I saw your article, it was a good one, though I disagree with the premise that innovation, automation and progress are a bad thing
You are right individual innovativeness and creative inventors have raised society to heights unseen in the past and the climb is not over and innovation and technological advances are continuing,
Progress is the way of the world
I find technological advances and new inventions fascinating,,,,but not scary
Thanks for the feedback and sorry for misattributing the authorship of the article.
More important things going on in my life than wasting time and energy "fearing" what might happen in the future.
Change and societal transformative developments have always been "scary" in some ways but the anticipation of the good that can come of progress is more important to me than fearing the rise of the bots.
I guess we will just have to agree to see this issue from two different points of view.
R W
Thanks for the feedback
There were many significant accomplishments in the 70 year period covered by the article ..
Prof Hawking isn't always right. Besides, it's not impossible that AI will do a better job in this world than humanity has, notwithstanding scary Sci-Fi stories.
J W
Regardless of who is on your side, it is fine with me that you choose to fear the future while I choose to look forward to it with anticipation.
I am quite familiar with Prof Hawking and his thoughts on AI and as I recall he usually uses the words "might" and "could" in discussing the possible outcomes of AI and other aspects of technology advances.
Different strokes as they say.
Thanks a lot for all the back and forth discussion
Buzz
Exactly what I have been trying to say --- things could go wrong, but they could also go very, very right.
Appreciate the perspective
The thing could can 3,000-5,000 cans per day-- Surely they canned things for the whole neighborhood!
Dowser
I remember when I was small, my grandmother and her neighbors would get together and can their butts off for days and everyone went home with a basement full of jars for the winter.
They quilted the same way as I recall.
Swann sued Edison for the infringement on the light blub and won. Edison was forced to take in Swann as a partner, he later bought Swann out. Swann was not an employee of Edison.
Also Frank Upton, was involved with many of the inventions who was an employee of Edison.
J W
I understand respect for the unknown, that is prudent, you brought up fear of the future and AI which is why I focused on the "fear factor" (no pun intended).
Respect, anticipation and wariness of what might happen is a reasonable approach