If you need further proof of man's ability to improvise... Just look at this. That was artist Jamie O'Shea creating a telegraph using Stone Age technology.
You wouldn't get this far...
While there's little historical evidence for a caveman Samuel Morse, evidence proves primitive man was more technology capable than modern audiences usually think...
Ancient transportation systems were remarkably advanced...
Before we start praising our genius for the iPad and HDTV, it's good to be reminded of everyday items we take for granted. Unfortunately for our collective ego, these inventions are surprising recent.
It might seem like a quibbling criticism of humanity but keep in mind the list of inventions that precede some of these simple, common everyday items: airplanes, automobiles, telephones.
For example...
Drinking Straws Weren't Invented Until 1888
Put your lips on one end and suck, it seems simple enough...
However, the simple drinking straw took mankind multiple millennia to figure out. Before then, people used grass stems or nothing at all. The first drinking straw was created in the late 19th century by Marvin C. Stone and was made out of paper.
Today, there are a variety of straws that actually have different functional purposes. For an overview of different kinds of drinking straws (I seriously doubt ANYONE will find it interesting) go here...
The Ballpoint Pen Was Finally Created in 1938
Writing clear, handwritten communications was a problem for much of history. Even with life long practice, letters and documents that used quills or fountain pens were inevitably splotched with ink. Despite this issue, inventors didn't get around to creating a ballpoint pen for mass, commercial use until 1938. A newspaper editor, Lazlo Biro, held the first patent on the modern point pen along with his chemist brother.
The First Door Knob Was Patented in 1878
The door knob is so completely ubiquitous it is almost impossible to think of a world without them. While historians (ie Wikipedia) claim that door knobs were used earlier in the 19th century, the first patent wasn't issued until 1878. Technically, Osbourn Dorsey filed a patent for improvement on an existing door closing device but his application with the U.S. is recognized as the first industrial design of the modern door knob.
Condiment Sachets (AKA Ketchup Packets) Weren't Introduced Until 1990
Reading this list, there's some comfort in hindsight... Well, abandon all hope of that notion. Some of you reading this might have been old enough to create and profit from the condiment sachet, more commonly known as the ketchup packet.
Fast food restaurants did not introduce this industry staple until 1990. Even more embarrassing, the development didn't come from the Mecca of the Quick Burger, the United States. Instead, the condiment sachet was created by the lovable Aussies, which are basically Americans with better/more beach front property.
Lazy Engineers Finally Create The First Prototype Electric Refrigerator
Again, this one might be reaching a little since available technology didn't always allow for invention of the electric refrigerator. However, it is a bit surprising the development didn't happen sooner. The first instance of artificial refrigeration was demonstrated in the middle 18th century by a professor in Scotland. Even the ice maker was created in 1850. The first commercial air conditioner was created in 1902. It wasn't until 1922 that electric refrigerators made their first appearance.
It might seem like a quibbling criticism of humanity but keep in mind the list of inventions that precede some of these simple, common everyday items: airplanes, automobiles, telephones.
For example...
Drinking Straws Weren't Invented Until 1888
Put your lips on one end and suck, it seems simple enough...
INSERT INNUENDO HERE
However, the simple drinking straw took mankind multiple millennia to figure out. Before then, people used grass stems or nothing at all. The first drinking straw was created in the late 19th century by Marvin C. Stone and was made out of paper.
Today, there are a variety of straws that actually have different functional purposes. For an overview of different kinds of drinking straws (I seriously doubt ANYONE will find it interesting) go here...
The Ballpoint Pen Was Finally Created in 1938
Writing clear, handwritten communications was a problem for much of history. Even with life long practice, letters and documents that used quills or fountain pens were inevitably splotched with ink. Despite this issue, inventors didn't get around to creating a ballpoint pen for mass, commercial use until 1938. A newspaper editor, Lazlo Biro, held the first patent on the modern point pen along with his chemist brother.
The First Door Knob Was Patented in 1878
The door knob is so completely ubiquitous it is almost impossible to think of a world without them. While historians (ie Wikipedia) claim that door knobs were used earlier in the 19th century, the first patent wasn't issued until 1878. Technically, Osbourn Dorsey filed a patent for improvement on an existing door closing device but his application with the U.S. is recognized as the first industrial design of the modern door knob.
Condiment Sachets (AKA Ketchup Packets) Weren't Introduced Until 1990
Reading this list, there's some comfort in hindsight... Well, abandon all hope of that notion. Some of you reading this might have been old enough to create and profit from the condiment sachet, more commonly known as the ketchup packet.
Fast food restaurants did not introduce this industry staple until 1990. Even more embarrassing, the development didn't come from the Mecca of the Quick Burger, the United States. Instead, the condiment sachet was created by the lovable Aussies, which are basically Americans with better/more beach front property.
Lazy Engineers Finally Create The First Prototype Electric Refrigerator
Again, this one might be reaching a little since available technology didn't always allow for invention of the electric refrigerator. However, it is a bit surprising the development didn't happen sooner. The first instance of artificial refrigeration was demonstrated in the middle 18th century by a professor in Scotland. Even the ice maker was created in 1850. The first commercial air conditioner was created in 1902. It wasn't until 1922 that electric refrigerators made their first appearance.
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