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Innovation

Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

By Erin Carson September 28, 2015, 5:56 PM PDT

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Even before vinyl (was cool)

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Even before vinyl (was cool)

In the early 1900s, this disc record player was the pinnacle of on-demand music.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

On time and smelling fine

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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.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

You hang up first

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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.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

TV on the go. Not really.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic

TV on the go. Not really.

TVs came out of the console with the invention of the portable television. “Portable” was a relative word.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Thinking differently

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Thinking differently

1984 saw the first Mac computer. Imagine walking into a Starbucks and seeing this guy everywhere.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Say cheese

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Say cheese

It was fairly difficult to take a selfie with this camera from the 1900s.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Hanging around

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Hanging around

The wire clothes hanger was invented in 1869. And yet, clothes still seem to have a special relationship with bedroom floors.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

It's getting hot in here

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It's getting hot in here

This collection of thermostats runs from 1915 to 1939.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Have a seat

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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.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Cord cutting

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Cord cutting

This Motorola DynaTAC phone from 1990 meant making untethered calls and having nothing to mindlessly wrap around your fingers while chatting.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Through the wringer

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Through the wringer

This Maytag washing machine cut down on the laundry woes of middle class domestic life.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

There's no popcorn setting on this thing

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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.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

Could I get some ice water?

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Could I get some ice water?

Here’s an ice tray and water bottle from the 1930s.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

These kids and their radios

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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.

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Photos: 15 innovative objects that changed daily life

You could say I'm a fan

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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.

Image: Erin Carson/TechRepublic
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By Erin Carson
Erin Carson is a Staff Reporter for CNET and a former Multimedia Editor for TechRepublic.
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