In the age of A.I., robots, and private space companies, the technology of the past feels antiquated.
But with the introduction of electricity in the 19th century, society and the world at large changed rapidly and more than ever before. The lightbulb, the car, the airplane, the x-ray, and the camera, were all brought into reality during the Gilded Age.
Take a look back at some inventions that brought us out of the darkness of the past and into the world we know today.
1
Electric Streetcars
Electric streetcars, first introduced by Frank J. Sprague in 1888, revolutionized public transportation and helped cities expand.
2
Dishwasher
Invented by Josephine Cochrane in 1886, the dishwasher was originally designed to save time and prevent damage to fine china.
3
Bessemer Process
The Bessemer process, developed by Henry Bessemer in 1856, allowed for the mass production of strong, affordable steel and powered the rise of modern industry and infrastructure.
4
Elevator
Elisha Otis invented a reliable safety brake for elevators in the 1850s, making it possible to build taller buildings and leading to the development of skyscrapers.
5
Adding Machine
In 1885, William Seward Burroughs invented the adding machine, which greatly simplified calculations and improved efficiency in finance and accounting.
6
Cash Register
James Ritty created the first cash register in 1879 to help businesses accurately record sales and prevent employee theft.
7
Airplane
The Wright brothers’ invention of the airplane in 1903 changed the world by making human flight possible and global travel faster.
8
Typewriter
Invented by Christopher Latham Sholes in 1867.
9
Kodak Camera
George Eastman launched the Kodak camera in 1888, making photography simple and affordable for everyday people.
10
Incandescent Light Bulb
Thomas Edison perfected the incandescent light bulb in 1879, bringing electric lighting into homes and cities and making nighttime safer and more productive.
11
X-ray
The X-ray was discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895, changing the field of medicine forever.
12
Phonograph
In 1878, Thomas Edison introduced the phonograph, the first device capable of recording and playing back sound, opening the door to the modern music and audio industries.
13
Telephone
Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, the telephone revolutionized communication by allowing people to transmit their voices instantly across long distances.
14
Automobile
The first practical automobile was developed by Karl Benz in 1886, laying the groundwork for the transformation of personal and commercial transportation.
