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Patent of the Telephone
Despite some controversy on the true inventor the of telephone, the first patent was issued to Alexander Graham Bell. This marking the beginning of a communication revolution which has turned into a trillion dollar industry we know today as the smart phone. -
Mass Production of the Toothbrush
Mass production of the toothbrush started in the United States. Tooth brushing became popular when soldiers returning home introduced it from over seas. Today we have thousands of options and thought to be one of the most commonly owned items. -
First Powered Aircraft Flight
Wilbur and Orville Wright made four brief flights at Kitty Hawk with their first powered aircraft. The Wright brothers had invented the first successful airplane. Today there are over 5000 airline with Delta Airline being the largest. -
Invention of The Assembly Line
Henry Ford invented the assembly line resulting in the sales of millions of cars. The company lost its dominance in the industry but went on to inspire other technological development and U.S. infrastructure. Today Mr.Ford is credited for helping to build America's economy during the nation's vulnerable early years. -
First Commercial Airline Flight
Tony Jannys conducted the United States first scheduled commercial airline flight for the St. Petersburg-Tampa Air-boat Line. Today commercial airlines experience approximately 2,586,582 passengers daily. -
World War One Ended
Manufacturing, production and efficiency had increased during the War. America became a world industrial leader and the economy was booming, profits were increasing which led to the period called the Roaring Twenties with a massive rise in consumerism for the wealthy. However inflation was high and companies started to reduce wages and lay off workers to keep down operating costs. The Unions had grown during the war, workers protested and 1919 saw a massive wave of strikes. -
The Invention of Television
The first television was developed by Philo Farnsworth, John Logie Baird, and Charles Francis Jenking. After World War TV broadcasting became popular and common in homes, businesses, and institutions. During the 1950's, television was medium for influencing public opinion. -
Great Depression
The stock market crash was not the only cause of this time period, but it help lead to global economic collapse. By 1933, nearly half of America's banks had failed, and unemployment was approaching 15 million people, or 30 percent of the workforce. -
Stock Market Crash
The market crash was due to a sudden dramatic decline of stock prices across a significant cross-section of a stock market. This resulted in a significant loss of paper wealth. The crash was driven by panic as much as by underlying economic factors. -
End of World War Two
Building on the economic base left after the war, American society became more affluent in the postwar years than most Americans could have imagined in their wildest dreams before or during the war. The following years were filled with economic optimism and speculated communism. -
Federal-Aid Highway Act
The Federal-Aid Highway Act also popularly known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act was implemented when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law. This created the start to our intricate highways we know today. Route 1 was the start of this system. -
American's With Disabilities Law Signed
This law guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in State and local government services, public accommodations, employment, transportation, and telecommunications. Today our society and technology has made strides in aiding citizens in the journey for equality. -
Release of the First Smartphone
Steve Jobs unveils the iPhone, which he says is "a revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone". -
Pennsylvania's First Medical Marijuana Growing Permits
Pennsylvania officially launched its medical marijuana industry awarding licenses to 12 growers, including two firms in Berks County. Many of the winning firms featured political and financial heavyweights linked to out-of-state cannabis powerhouses, each coveting a market expected to be worth up to $150 million the first year.
