Gideon Sundback’s Invention of the Zipper
Gideon Sundback is credited with inventing the first zipper, but he was not the first to patent the device. Sundback, however, created the first zipper to work well, and he …
Inventions
The Magic Lantern-Early Form of Slide Projector
The magic lantern is a very old invention that served as a primitive slide projector. As improvements were made, the magic lantern eventually produced moving pictures as well.
Drive-In Movie Theaters
The concept for the first drive-in movie business originated with one man in the late 1920s. Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr. came up with the concept of watching movies from one’s …
First Rearview Mirror Marketed as “Cop-spotter”
The first widely distributed rearview mirror for automobiles was sold as the “Cop-spotter” by a fellow named Elmer Berger. Available as an auto accessory, the “Cop-spotter” retailed in hardware stores …
The Wheelchair: Who Thought Of It?
Wheelchairs today offer a very high level of independence and mobility to people who cannot walk because of injury or disability. When and how did they come about? While not …
Baseball Catcher’s Mask: How It Was Invented
The baseball catcher’s mask is a fundamental piece of equipment in the game. The catcher is positioned behind home plate and is needed there, but it is a dangerous position …
