1839 - February 24 - Steam shovel patented by William Smith Otis, Philadelphia

William Smith Otis (1813-1839) was an American mechanical engineer and inventor who is credited with the development of the steam shovel, a significant innovation in the construction and mining industries. He was born in Hampden, Maine, in 1813.

The steam shovel is a... Read MORE...

historyorb.com -

1843 - The Christmas card is invented (Sir Henry Cole and John Callcott Horsley, England)

"The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He was a civil servant (Government worker) who had helped set-up the new 'Public Record Office' (now called the Post Office), where he was an Assistant Keeper, and wondered how it could... Read MORE...

www.whychristmas.com -

1843 - Artificial Freezer Patented

1843: Until September 9, 1843, ice cream was made by the "pot freezer method," but on this day, Nancy M. Johnson of Philadelphia got her "artificial freezer" patented, containing a tub, cylinder, lid, dasher, and crank. This design is still widely used today.

The Old Farmer's Almanac www.almanac.com -

1845 - The refrigerator is invented (John Gorrie, United States)

"John Gorrie was born in 1803 and spent most of his childhood in South Carolina. After receiving a degree in medicine, he moved to Apalachicola, Florida, a port city on the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to practicing medicine, Gorrie studied tropical diseases. Like most... Read MORE...

How the Refrigerator Changed History by Lydia Bjornlund, ABDO, 2015 -

1845 - The rubber band is invented (Stephen Perry, England)

"THE FIRST elastic bands, made from vulcanised rubber, were patented on March 17, 1845, by Stephen Perry of Messrs Perry & Co, rubber manufacturers of London. Production of rubber bands 'for papers, letters, etc' was inaugurated by the firm at about the same time.

Sean... Read MORE...

www.theguardian.com -

1849 - The safety pin is invented (Walter Hunt, United States)

THE SAFETY PIN.
Interesting Story of Its Inventor, Walter Hunt.

Buffalo Commercial.
John R. Chapin, now of Buffalo, gives some interesting reminiscences of Walter Hunt, who, in the opinion of may, including Mr. Chapin, was the real inventor of the sewing machine. "Let... Read MORE...

The Saint Paul Globe - Saint Paul, Minnesota - December 25, 1895

1853 - Potato chips are invented (George Crum, United States)

This year is the seventy-fifth anniversary or the potato chip and a resident of Saratoga Springs advises The New Yorker that many of the older neighbors are all excited. It seems that the chip was invented there in 1853, and that is why it is known more elegantly, as the... Read MORE...

Alton Evening Telegraph - Alton, Illinois - February 28, 1928