Posts Tagged Inventions

The Dimple Machine shown in an advertisement on the left while a women poses with the face device in the right photo. Photo Credit: Modern Mechanix/The Babble

In 1936, Isabella Gilbert of Rochester, New York developed a “machine” to create dimples. In order to create the desired indentations, this device was worn over the cheeks while two knobs press into the cheeks. According to the advertisement, after continual use, the device “soon make a fine set of dimples.” The American Medical Association argued that the “Dimple Maker” would not make dimples or even enlarge original dimples. They also stated that prolonged use of the devise may actually cause cancer.

Not only is the “Dimple Maker” an unfortunate invention, but it also sounds (and looks) like it would hurt!

Original Title: “First flight, 120 feet in 12 seconds, 10:35 a.m.; Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.” Photo Credit: Library of Congress

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright tested out their Wright Flyer I near Kill Devil Hills by Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The photo above is of the first successfully powered, heavier-than-air aircraft with a pilot aboard. Orville acted as the pilot while Wilbur ran at the wingtip to balance it. The starting rail, wing-rest and a coil box are visible, these were necessary for flight preparation. The camera was preset by Orville with John T. Daniels charged with squeezing the rubber bulb which tripped the shutter.

The structure of the Wright Flyer was made out of spruce and ash with muslin coverings. There were fabric pockets sewn inside to help the aircraft “float.” Powered by a four-cylinder engine created by the brothers, the Wright Flyer proved to be strong, flexible and light.

In order to fly the aircraft, the pilot laid on their stomach with their head forward while their left hand operated the elevator control. Attached to the pilot’s hips was a cradle that pulled wires – warped the wings and turned the rudder. To steer, the pilot would move their hips from side to side. The brothers patented their “wing warping” technique (a system for lateral control of a fixed-wing machine).

On it’s first flight, the aircraft took off and flew for 12 seconds and landed with a distance of 120 feet.  They flew the Wright Flyer I four times that day, with the brothers alternating as pilot. Of the four flights, the longest lasted 59 seconds with a distance of 852 feet with Wilbur as the pilot.

After the last flight, those present discussed Wilbur’s long flight. A gust of wind lifted up the Wright Flyer and it went crashing across the sand. It was severely damaged and would never be flown again. However, the Wright brothers accomplished what they set out to do. They demonstrated that basic techniques could in fact fly heavier-than-air aircrafts. The Smithsonian nicley summarized the Wright brothers famous 1903 flight:

Their seminal accomplishment encompassed not only the breakthrough first flight of an airplane, but also the equally important achievement of establishing the foundation of aeronautical engineering.

Distant view of the Wright airplane just after landing, taken from the starting point, with wing-rest in center of picture and launching rail at right. This flight, the fourth and final of December 17, 1903, was the longest: 852 feet covered in 59 seconds. Photo Credit: Library of Congress

Smithsonian, 1903 Wright Flyer – Milestone of Flight.
Smithsonian, 1903 Wright Flyer – Object Collection.

Photo Credit: George Eastman House Collection

Two women holding a sign that reads “Easter Holidays! Take a Kodak with you Prices from 5-”, ca. 1917.

Source: Modern Mechanix

In February 1938, a new invention was introduced to stop fire alarm pranksters. If a person went to “sound the alarm” they would have to insert their arm into a special compartment to activate the signal dial. Immediately after activating the alarm, the person’s arm was locked in the compartment until police or firemen arrived with a key. It was a good idea to catch pranksters, however, for obvious reasons, a bit flawed if there was an actual fire….

After a bit more research, it sounds like these fire boxes would sit outside of buildings, a more logical location than the alternative. Also the photo looks as if the trapping compartment came off the box so a person could walk away after initiating the signal wearing a rather bulking bracelet. Regardless of where it would be located or the specific mechanics, the firebox was not the best invention the world had ever seen nor was it the worst!

The first crossword puzzle, created by Arthur Wynne, published in the New York World on December 21, 1913. (Source)

On December 21, 1913, the first crossword puzzle appeared in newspapers. Now considered “the most popular and widespread word game in the world,” the puzzle was invented by British-born Arthur Wynne.

At nineteen, Wynne immigrated to the United States. He worked for various newspapers until he landed at the New York City-based New York World. His editor asked Wynne to create a new game for the Sunday “Fun” section. As a child, Wynne played a game called “Magic Squares.” Played in ancient Pompeii, the game’s goal was to arrange words that read the same way across and down. Wynne took the basic concept of “Magic Squares,” added a larger complex grid as well as gave the player clues to help solve it. He also pioneered the use of adding blank black squares to the puzzle

The first crossword puzzle was diamond-shaped and was initially called “word-cross.” It was a huge success with the newspaper’s readers. The name was soon changed to “crossword” after a typesetting error. Soon other newspapers were running the puzzles. Initially, the only major American daily to refuse to use the puzzle was the New York Times. The crossword finally found its way into the paper’s Sunday edition eighteen years after the puzzle’s introduction. It has since become a staple of the newspaper and just the word “crossword” seems to be synonymous with the New York Times.

Almost one hundred years later, Wynne’s invention proves to be more than a fad. Books of crossword puzzles can be found in stores. Puzzle applications can be downloaded onto cell phones. Perhaps more importantly to Wynne though would be the fact that the puzzle still dominates the “Fun” section of most major newspapers.

Sources
“Inventor of the Week: The Crossword Puzzle,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Aug. 1997.
Eric Shackle, “The World’s First Crossword Puzzle,” fun-with-words.com, 2002.
Mary Bellis, “The History of Crossword Puzzles,” about.com.

After three years of preparation, the World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago from May 1, 1893 to October 30, 1893. One of the major attractions was the debut of the original Ferris Wheel designed by George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., a Pittsburgh-based bridge builder. With 36 seating compartments, holding 60 people each, the Ferris Wheel could carry a maximum load of 2,160 passengers. These photographs help to convey the 1893 Ferris Wheel’s vast size and intricate construction.

View through support wires from one gondola to gondolas on the opposite side of the Ferris Wheel. Brooklyn Museum Archives/Goodyear Archival Collection

View of girders of the Ferris Wheel from inside a gondola. Brooklyn Museum Archives/Goodyear Archival Collection

View of Ferris Wheel, which dwarfs surrounding buildings. Brooklyn Museum Archives/Goodyear Archival Collection

Check out History By Zim’s post on fun facts about the original Ferris Wheel here.

“The World’s Columbian Exposition,” Chicago Historical Society

100,000 Fordson Tractor on Final Assembly Line, February 21, 1920. The Henry Ford Collection (THF22055)

“Henry Ford developed the first mass-produced and inexpensive lightweight tractor to meet the needs of small farmers. The Fordson, introduced in 1917, rapidly became the most popular tractor in America. This photograph shows the 100,000th Fordson tractor being assembled in 1920. That year, the United States Census Bureau began recording enormous declines in the population of farm horses. (February 21, 1920)”

(Source)

I came across this 1940′s advertisement on Pinterest and had to share it. I have heard of odd things being used as haircut templates but this is the first time Scotch Tape has been thrown into the mix. According to the ad, “Fix fringe to forehead with “SCOTCH” Tape and cut across top of tape. Fringe cuts straight, hair trimmings stick to tape – and won’t fall in eyes.” Based on that cut, bangs falling into her eyes will not be a problem for a LONG time….

This ad has also inspired a new website series, “Odd Ads of the Past.” So stay tune for odd advertisements of the past!

Photo Credit: Library of Congress

Photo Credit: Library of Congress

Testing a bulletproof vest in Washington, September 13, 1923. I wonder how the man came to be the “test dummy.” I guess he drew the short stick….

Ford Model T Truck Hauling 8,000 Pounds of Hay, 1921. The Henry Ford Collection (THF22063)

“This photograph shows a Ford Model T truck hauling a large load of hay down a paved country road. The dried fodder seems to overwhelm the small truck, yet the driver gamely travels along. Model Ts were popular for transporting harvest crops. They had earned a tough reputation among farmers who knew the vehicles could handle hard work.”

The New York Knickerbockers Baseball Club, clockwise from top left: Alfred Cartwright, Alexander Cartwright, William Wheaton, Henry Tiebout Anthony, Daniel “Doc” Adams, and Duncan Curry, ca. 1847.

The first official baseball uniform was adopted by the first organized baseball club. In 1845, the New York Knickerbockers became the first organized baseball team (club) and four years later, on April 24, 1849, they adopted the first uniform. It was a rather simple outfit compared to the uniforms in baseball today.  The uniform consisted of blue woolen pantaloons, white flannel shirts and a straw hats. While the straw hats only lasted a few years, the team’s colors of blue and white remained for decades.

National Baseball Hall of Fame

(Photo by J. R. Eyerman/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)

An audience in formal attire and 3D glasses watches the premiere screening of film ‘Bwana Devil,’ directed by Arch Oboler, the 1st full-length, color 3D (aka ‘Natural Vision’) motion picture, at the Paramount Theater, Hollywood, California, November 26, 1952.

In an effort to entice people back into the theaters, 3-D movies, or as it was called back then – ‘Natural Vision 3-D,’ were created. Since television became increasingly popular, movie attendance sharply declined. “Bwana Devil” is considered to be the first full-length, color movie to use Natural Vision 3-D. While the critics disliked the movie, it was a huge commercial success and sparked the first 3-D craze in motion pictures.

Getty Images

Welbike - folding 2-stroke motorcycle - as used by 1st Airborne Division, 29 August 1942.

Today is Global James Bond Day and is the 50th anniversary of the release of the first James Bond film, “Dr. No.” Because of that I’m feeling a bit James Bondish and I decided to do a quick post about an interesting bike I came across years ago.

The Welbike is shown being lifted out of the container and, in the background, ridden. This is a staged shot as there is no parachute hook up to the container.

For my senior paper in college I researched female spies in World War II. It’s hard to study espionage without looking at the gadgetry they utilized. Among them was the Welbike, a small, portable motorcycle that could be folded into a parachute container. It was popular among agents and paratroopers (as well as with other special operations forces).

Needing a vehicle that could be dropped by parachute, the Welbike was developed in Britain between 1942 and 1943. It was created by The Excelsior Motor Company of Birmingham, with help from SOE (Special Operations Executive). Evidence has shown that Excelsior Motor Company produced around 3,853 bikes. The goal of the bike was that if could be dropped behind enemy lines and assembled quickly so the person could make a speedy escape before getting detected.

Paratroopers retrieve a Welbike (lightweight folding motorcycle) from an equipment container on the drop-zone, during a large-scale airborne forces exercise, 22 April 1944.

Because of its small design, it was the smallest motorcycle used by the British Armed Forces. It weighed 70 pounds without gas and could only go up to 30 mph. On one tank of gas, the Welbike could travel around 90 miles. When folded down, to fit into the parachute container, the bike’s measurements were 4’3″ x 15″ x 12″ and could be taken out of the container and assembled in ten seconds.

The Royal Marine Commandos carried Welbikes ashore during Normandy and were said to have been used during Operation Market Garden. Even though the bikes were created for SOE agents, they were used more by the British Armed Forces. That is not to say that agents did not use them, Welbikes were reportedly used around Europe as well the Malayan jungle.

The Welbikes had some drawbacks, it had no suspension or lights, which limited its use. Because the weight of the parachute container was heavier than other containers, it often landed in a different area. If it was too far off-course, it could risk detection and could not be found and assembled quick enough. Additionally, by the time Welbikes were in full operations, larger military gliders were produced and they were able to carry full-sized motorcycles, jeeps and other vehicles.

Welbike in action. Royal Marine Commandos landing at Juno 'Nan Red' Beach from LCI(S) landing craft, Normandy, France, 6 Jun 1944. You can see two commandos carrying what seems to be a Welbike in the middle of the photo. Also note the commando at the top of the ramp holding one as well as what appears to be a bike of some sort out of focus at the top of the far ramp.

Sources

“Airborne Wheels the Welbike”

WWII Welbikes

The CIA Museum

Top Three Photos via The Imperial War Museum (1, 2, 3)

Aerial dogfight over Western Front during World War I.

I came across this photo of a World War I dogfight and wondered about the different airplanes used in that war. After a quick search, I found some scanned photos of a The Chicago Daily News War Book describing the different World War I airplanes. In the above photo the planes with the circles are Allied (perhaps English?) Morane planes while those baring a “+” are German Fokker planes. (I’m basing this off of a comparison with the photos below, so if you think I’m wrong please let me know!)

Dogfight photo found here.
World War I plane descriptions found here.

First Band-Aid Brand Adhesive Bandage Package, 1921. Photo Credit: Kilmer House

Band-Aids. I am struggling to write an introduction for the history of Band-Aids since, frankly, these adhesive strips speak for themselves. For me, the klutz magnet, Band-Aids have always played an intricate role in my life. It is to the point that just thinking about my klutziness actually makes me bleed. To combat my random cuts and lacerations, I stock up on the newest and greatest Band-Aids available. I am even adult-enough to admit that my favorites are recently released Mickey Mouse ones (see below)! But I, of course, digress. The point is it is hard to believe that these everyday necessities are not even a century old.

Earle Dickson the inventor of Band-Aids. Photo Credit: Kilmer House

To be exact, they were created in 1920. Earle Dickson, a cotton buyer for Johnson & Johnson, invented the Band-Aid, but the credit should really go to his wife Josephine. Perhaps I am distantly related or am a reincarnation of her since she sounds like a major butterfingers herself. According to Johnson & Johnson, Josephine tended to injure herself frequently through cooking and housekeeping tasks. (Funny, I usually get injured while avoiding those same exact things….) Earle found it difficult and cumbersome to continue to use cotton balls and wrapping on Josephine’s minor cuts, so he sought an easier way for a person to bandage themselves up. The Band-Aid was born.

When they hit the market in 1920, Band-Aids were handmade and came in strips that were two and a half inches wide and eighteen inches long. The person would cut the Band-Aid to the specifications they needed. However, in the early years, this new and improved bandage did not sell very well. In the first year only $3,000 worth was sold.

Johnson & Johnson decided to use a different marketing strategy. Deciding that their main clients were families, mainly mothers, they distributed free Band-Aids to the people they felt would need them the most – Boy Scouts. After giving away an unlimited number to Boy Scout troops across the U.S., Band-Aid sales began to increase.

In 1939, Band-Aids became completely sterilized, just in time for World War II. When the war broke out most factories and corporations converted themselves into war effort machines. The same was with Johnson & Johnson factories. During the war, they sent millions of Band-Aids overseas and the bandages were even included in standard mess kits. As the soldiers came home at the end of the war, Band-Aid’s reputation and sales increased greatly.

If you are wondering what ever happened to Earle Dickson, don’t worry, Johnson & Johnson did not forget about him. Earle was promoted to a vice president position and held it until he retired in 1957. After his retirement, he was a member of the board of directors until his death in 1961. By this time Band-Aids were well-known and a hot seller for the company. At the time of Earle’s death, around $30,000,000 worth of Band-Aids sold each year. Quite an accomplishment from its first year total of $3,000!

Additional Facts about Band-Aids

• The red string that is used to open the wrappers first appears on the box in 1924.
• Decorative Band-Aids were not introduced until 1956.
• In 1963, Band-Aids went into space for the first time with the Mercury astronauts.
• John Travolta and Brooke Shields both appeared in separate Band-Aid commercials in the 70′s.
• Barry Manilow composed the famous Band-Aid jingle (“I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, ‘cause Band-Aid’s stick on me!”).
• The year 2001 marks the anniversary of 100 billion bandages made.

My personal favorite!

Come on! How are these not the coolest band-aids?!

Sources
Craft, Dr. Naomi. The Little Book of Medical Breakthroughs. New York: Metro Books, 2010, 102.
Johnson & Johnson website
“Inventor of the Week,” Massachusetts Institute of Technology website.
Katie McLaughlin, “Barry Manilow: Audiences connect with a guy who’s telling the truth,” cnn.com, June 23, 2011.