Entrepreneur George Eastman was born on July 12, 1854, in Waterville, New York. Eastman invented the first successful film roll, making photography accessible for everyone and contributing to the development of motion pictures.
On July 11, 1979, Skylab, the first manned US space laboratory, returned to Earth after six years in space. The success of the Skylab project encouraged the continued inclusion of humans in space study.
Glenn Hammond Curtiss was born on May 21, 1878, in Hammondsport, New York. He designed the planes flown by most American WWI pilots, which were also used to carry the first airmail deliveries.
On May 13, 1918, the United States issued its first airmail stamp – US #C3. It carried America’s first airmail two days later, and sparked one of the world’s most famous stamp rarities.
Samuel Finley Breese Morse was born on April 27, 1791, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Morse is credited with inventing the telegraph and the communication system used for the device, which bears his name: Morse code.
On April 22, 1964, the New York World’s Fair opened at Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, New York. The fair included several notable events – the unveiling of the Ford Mustang and IBM computer, Disney’s animatronic “It’s a Small World” show, and more.
On April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang debuted at the New York Auto Show, and was available for sale around the country that same day. The Mustang far outsold expectations and shattered sales records.
Photographer Eadweard Muybridge was born on April 9, 1830, in Kingston upon the Thames, Surrey, England. Muybridge was a photography pioneer, improving the technology and completing early motion studies on film.
On March 28, 1964, amateur radio operators provided essential emergency communications in the wake of a devastating earthquake in Alaska.