Every day, we encounter numerous everyday items. Without thinking about when and why these things appeared, we take them for granted. But once, they were innovations, real technological breakthroughs, embodiments of the future. Let’s look at the interesting stories behind some common items. Later, you can impress any conversational partner with these tales.
Flexible Water Hose
The first flexible water hose in history was invented in 1672 by the Dutch artist Jan van der Heyden. At the age of 12, he witnessed a fire that destroyed the town hall in Amsterdam. This likely left a lasting impression, and twenty years later, Heyden invented a hose for firefighting. The first prototype was made of linen, but within a couple of years, stitched leather was used. The invention initially gained popularity among gardeners but later reached its original target, ending up in the hands of firefighters.
Super Glue
Super Glue was accidentally invented by Dr. Harry Coover in 1942. He was working on creating plastic lenses for gun sights, but the resulting chemical substance did not have the necessary properties. Dr. Coover realized the incredible stickiness of his invention and thought it could be used for medical purposes. If this stuff could glue rubber, wood, and many other materials, why not human tissues? In 1964, Super Glue in spray form appeared in Vietnam, where American soldiers used it as a first aid tool.
Insurance Policy
The concept of insurance originated almost 4,000 years ago. The oldest evidence is found in the Code of Hammurabi, dating back to 1750 BCE. Naturally, there were no insurance companies, and the law applied to private cases. For example, it practiced the insurance of goods transported by sea. If the cargo was lost, the ship owner had to compensate the trader. This system strengthened the economic ties of the ancient world and accelerated the development of civilization.
Disposable Tissues
This is a byproduct of World War I. Initially, thin paper inserts were used in gas masks instead of filters. Cotton, which was supposed to be used, was often in short supply due to its use for bandages. Cheap paper inserts were used as an alternative. This construction worked much worse but was better than nothing. In 1924, Kimberly-Clark remembered the wartime cotton replacement experience and introduced disposable paper towels for women to remove makeup. Seeing the demand, they experimented with the form, soon bringing disposable paper handkerchiefs and tissues to store shelves.
Automatic Doors
We walk through doors that open automatically almost every day. They are found in stores, businesses, and some homes. In 1931, American engineers installed such a door in Wilcox’s Pier restaurant. This technological marvel did not impress visitors much, as it was intended to assist waiters with their hands full of trays.
Household Vacuum Cleaner
The first handheld household vacuum cleaner was developed in 1890 in France but was manufactured and mass-produced only in 1910 by the Daisy Vacuum Cleaner Company in Britain. It was called the Baby Daisy, and although electrical appliances had become common by then, people still distrusted them, considering such technology dangerous. Using the Baby Daisy required two people: one to move the vacuum cleaner in the desired direction and the other to precisely direct the hose.
Barcode on Products
Joe Woodland came up with the barcode concept, inspired by Morse code. The first trial at a supermarket checkout was in 1972 and was a success, but standardization was needed for the system to work nationwide. Woodland’s barcode was circular, but the familiar rectangular shape appeared in 1974, credited to George Laurer. The first product with this barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s gum with ten sticks. The first transaction took place at 8 a.m. in Marsh supermarket, located in Troy, Idaho.
Ballpoint Pen
The idea of the ballpoint pen was conceived by John Loud, who patented it in 1888. A steel ball of the right size was placed in a tube and could rotate freely without falling out. However, the design needed improvement as the ink flow was uneven and the production was commercially unviable. The ballpoint pen was reinvented by Hungarian journalist László Bíró in 1931. By then, technology allowed for cheaper production and the elimination of previous flaws.
First Passenger Flight
Every year, millions of people fly on airplanes, the fastest and most reliable way to cover long distances. The first commercial flight took place in 1914 in Florida. On January 1, a passenger with a ticket flew from Tampa Bay to St. Petersburg. The flight lasted 23 minutes and became a local sensation. Due to the terrain, travel by other means took up to 10 hours. The airline didn’t last long, but it served 1,204 passengers.
Electric Elevator
Mechanical lifts have been used since ancient times, including during the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. Thus, the concept already existed; it just needed to be combined with electricity. The first patent belongs to Otis Tufts, but the practical implementation occurred in 1880 through the efforts of Siemens & Halske. Otis elevators appeared nine years later. This invention removed the limitations on the height of buildings.
Shoe Laces
Shoe laces, in various forms, have been used for centuries, but they were just thin ropes. In 1790, Harvey Kennedy patented a new idea for laces. He invented the aglet, the small tip on the lace that makes threading easier and prevents fraying.
Automatic Transmission
The first internal combustion engine car appeared in 1885, naturally with a manual transmission. Until 1948, all cars had manual transmissions, until General Motors revolutionized the industry. Today, it is one of the largest and most recognizable auto manufacturers. The first production model with an automatic transmission was the Oldsmobile.
