The greatest inventors make a huge impact on history.
A meaningful invention instantly improves the quality of life and usually plays a significant part in history. The early 20th century saw a wide variety of innovative creations and improvements that helped to put America in its place as one of the world's most powerful countries. It was during this time that inventors flooded the marketplace with cutting edge technology, much of which is still relied on heavily today, that changed the lives of Americans forever.
Windshield Wipers
Invented by Mary Anderson in 1903, the first windshield wipers required the driver or passenger to operate them by hand. When the crank controlling the wipers was turned, the wipers responded by going back and forth across the windshield.
Airplane
On Dec. 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, N.C., Orville and Wilbur Wright first successfully flew their Wright Flyer for a sustained period of time. The Wright brothers kept the world's first functional airplane in the air for 12 full seconds, traveling 120 feet in the process.
Wire Coat Hanger
The coat hanger was invented in 1903 by Albert Parkhouse, an employee of Timberlake Wire and Novelty Co. One morning when Parkhouse showed up to his job in Jackson, Mich., he found that all the hooks designed to hold hats and coats were in use. Hurriedly, Parkhouse grabbed a piece of wire and twisted it into the shape of the coat hangers still used today.
Moving Assembly Line
After numerous attempts to increase efficiency in his factory, Henry Ford devised the moving assembly line in 1913, the first of its kind. While a static assembly line had already taken off in factories at the start of the century, it was Ford's innovative idea that brought the car to the workers instead of making them walk around the shop while performing the same task repeatedly. This invention boosted productivity tremendously, allowing for completing of a Model T in 93 minutes.
Wax Crayons
Inventors Edwin Binney and Harold Smith came up with the idea for wax crayons in 1903, releasing the first Crayola set with eight different colors. The product was a success, and the inventors went on to set up business in New York and create other products including slate school pencils and dustless chalk.
Popsicle
The Popsicle accidentally came into creation in 1905 when 11-year-old Frank Epperson of San Francisco left a fruit drink out all night with a stirrer inside. The drink froze, giving Epperson the inspiration to unveil his discovery to the public. He eventually got a patent for the frozen treat in 1923.
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