In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast on December 24th. This event marked a significant advancement in radio technology, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry.
1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)
1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.
1946 - December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, featuring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, and Thomas Mitchell, is released in New York.
On December 20, 1946, Frank Capra's iconic film It's a Wonderful Life premiered in New York City. Starring James Stewart as George Bailey, Donna Reed as Mary Hatch, Lionel Barrymore as the villainous Mr. Potter, Henry Travers as the angel Clarence, and Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy, the film tells the story of a man who, facing financial ruin and personal despair, is shown by an angel what life would have been like if he had never existed.
Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its initial release, It's a Wonderful Life has since become a beloved classic, cherished for its heartwarming message and timeless themes of hope, redemption, and the impact of a single life on others.
Source / record details
December 20, 1946
The cell phone was invented by Martin Cooper of Motorola. On April 3, 1973, he made the first handheld mobile phone call with the Motorola DynaTAC. This device weighed 2.5 pounds and was 10 inches long, offering 30 minutes of talk time and requiring 10 hours to charge. The first commercial cell phone was released in 1983, revolutionizing communication and leading to the modern smartphones we use today.
1981 - June 5 - First reported case of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
1989 - The World Wide Web is invented at CERN (Tim Berners-Lee, UK)
Death — 19913 September 1991
La Quinta, California, USA
He died at the age of 94.
Birth — 1897
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