Info Without scientists and inventors, our lives would be totally different. Most of us know about famous inventions, such as the telephone and light bulb. Here are eight objects which you use every day. Find out when and how they were invented. Click on the invention name for a link to more information.
Inventor/ country / year invented
For King Louis XIV from France in the 18th century Background
Each of the king¡¦s staples had his name but they were too expensive for most people.
A stapling machine was invented in 1868 and quickly became common is offices. Interesting fact
Staples are often used in surgery to tie skin together.
People have been killed by a staple gun!
Inventor/ country / year invented
John Curtis from American in 1848 Background
Curtis boiled gum from a spruce tree and added iced water to make chewing gum. It became popular after sugar was added. Interesting fact
People have chewed gum from trees for thousands of years.
The US army is developing chewing gum with can replace tooth brushing for soldiers.
Inventor/ country / year invented
An unknown inventor from America in 1888 Background
Deodorant was the first product to fight body odor. A roll-on version was invented in 1952. It copied the idea of a ball-point pen. Interesting fact
Many people used baking soda before deodorant was invented.
The first deodorants were creams which people rubbed on their bodies.
Inventor/ country / year invented
Ruth Wakefield from America in 1930 Background
Ruth was making cookies but didn¡¦t have enough baking chocolate. She used bits of chocolate but they didn¡¦t melt. However, it tasted great and became popular. Interesting fact
Chocolate chip are the best selling type of cookies in America.
Americans eat about 7 billion chocolate chip cookies a year.
Inventor/ country / year invented
Stan Avery from America in 1935 Background
Stan Avery borrowed US$100 from his future wife to make a machine which made stickers. It was made from spare parts of a washing machine. Interesting fact
Before stickers, European farmers used colourful paper with glue to sell their fruit. One woman in Sweden has collected over 62,000 stickers.
Inventor/ country / year invented
Percy Spencer from American in 1945 Background
Spencer was working with microwaves and found that his chocolate bar melted. He made a microwave box and started reheating his lunches. The first microwave oven was about 1.5m tall! Interesting fact
Spencer had no parents as a child. He received little formal education.
His company only gave him US$2 for his invention.
Inventor/ country / year invented
Zenith Electronics Corporation from American in 1950 Background
The first remote controls had a cable from the TV to the remote. In 1956, Zenith's Dr. Robert Adler invented an ultrasonic device so there was no cable. Interesting fact
The first remote control was called ¡¥Lazy Bones¡¦, an idiom used to call a person lazy.
Inventor/ country / year invented
Bette Nesmith Graham from America in 1951 Background
Bette was a bank secretary who invented a white liquid which would cover up her mistakes. Interesting fact
Bette got her idea watching painters paint over mistakes at her bank¡¦s windows. Her son became the guitarist for the famous band the Monkees.
Here are eight more inventions. Can you guess when they were invented? Put them on a timeline. Remember that BC means ¡¥before the birth of Jesus Christ¡¦ so happened more than 2,000 years ago.
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