Pluto Discovered
On February 18, 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto after nearly a year of searching. It would be another 85 years before the US sent its first space probe there – inspired by a postage stamp!
Technology
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First Official Transcontinental Telephone Call
On January 25, 1915, the first official transcontinental telephone call from New York to San Francisco was made. It was a revolutionary moment in communication, instantly linking callers on either side of the country.
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Birth of John von Neumann
Mathematician and scientist John von Neumann was born on December 28, 1903, in Budapest, Hungary.
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Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace
On December 8, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered his “Atoms for Peace” speech, introducing his goal of using nuclear power for peace.
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Ford Installs Moving Assembly Line
On December 1, 1913, Henry Ford introduced his moving assembly line, which revolutionized both his own business and the future of mass production around the world.
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Debut of World’s First Jukebox
On November 23, 1889, the world’s first jukebox was displayed and used at the Palais Royale Saloon in San Francisco, California.
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Birth of Wiley Post
Wiley Hardeman Post was born on November 22, 1898, Van Zandt County, Texas. A world-renowned aviator, he pushed the limits of early aviation technology to break the ’round the world record twice!
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Birth of Robert Fulton
Engineer and inventor Robert Fulton was born on November 14, 1765, in Little Britain, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He’s best known for developing the first commercially viable steamboat, though he also patented several other inventions during his lifetime.
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Completion of Transcontinental Telegraph
On October 24, 1861, Western Union joined the eastern and western lines in Salt Lake City, Utah, completing the Transcontinental Telegraph. Soon, intricately engraved stamps were produced for the different telegraph companies to show that messages had been paid for.
