Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life
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Even before vinyl (was cool)
Even before vinyl (was cool)
In the early 1900s, this disc record player was the pinnacle of on-demand music.
On time and smelling fine
On time and smelling fine
The alarm clock was invented in 1718, and deodorant came about in 1888, relieving society of tardiness and stink—to a degree, at least.
You hang up first
You hang up first
The world got a little smaller with the invention of the telephone. Alexander Graham Bell won the first U.S. patent for it in 1876.
TV on the go. Not really.
TV on the go. Not really.
TVs came out of the console with the invention of the portable television. “Portable” was a relative word.
Thinking differently
Thinking differently
1984 saw the first Mac computer. Imagine walking into a Starbucks and seeing this guy everywhere.
Say cheese
Say cheese
It was fairly difficult to take a selfie with this camera from the 1900s.
Hanging around
Hanging around
The wire clothes hanger was invented in 1869. And yet, clothes still seem to have a special relationship with bedroom floors.
It's getting hot in here
It's getting hot in here
This collection of thermostats runs from 1915 to 1939.
Have a seat
Have a seat
Along with indoor plumbing in the late 1800s, society also got acquainted with the concept of the toilet bowl, like this ornate one from around 1900.
Cord cutting
Cord cutting
This Motorola DynaTAC phone from 1990 meant making untethered calls and having nothing to mindlessly wrap around your fingers while chatting.
Through the wringer
Through the wringer
This Maytag washing machine cut down on the laundry woes of middle class domestic life.
There's no popcorn setting on this thing
There's no popcorn setting on this thing
This microwave oven dates back to 1974. It’s unclear how college students survived before its invention.
Could I get some ice water?
Could I get some ice water?
Here’s an ice tray and water bottle from the 1930s.
These kids and their radios
These kids and their radios
This Regency transistor radio from 1954 meant adults could gripe at teenagers and young adults (the transistor radio’s target audience) for being glued to portable devices, and not for the last time in history.
You could say I'm a fan
You could say I'm a fan
The electric table fan made life a little more bearable before air conditioning. This fan is from 1920.
