|
If you were born in 1911 (and some of us were, or our parents or grandparents), you might have some recollection of life at the turn of the new 20th century. Big hopes, big happenings in the world ... strides in medicine ... stresses in world politics ... discoveries in the scientific arena ... advancements in technology and transportation.
Sounds like the turn of the new 21st century! But the highlights were different, and here are a few to give you a glimpse at life 100 years ago. The following information was adapted from www.answers.com, which contains more interesting historical notes if you'd like to log on. (If history buffs spot factual flaws in the following, please accept our apologies.)
- A 60-horsepower Glenn H. Curtiss plane flown by civilian pilot Eugene Ely lands on a specially rigged deck platform aboard the U.S. Navy's armored cruiser Pennsylvania January 18.
- Italy declares war on the Ottoman Turks September 9, lands a force at Tripoli October 5, and occupies other coastal towns.
- A revolution begins in China that will end the 267-year-old Qing dynasty of the Manchus, propel China into the 20th century, and begin the decline of such customs as having men wear pigtails and women's feet deformed by binding.
- Militant English suffragists continue their campaign to win the vote.
- California women gain suffrage by constitutional amendment.
- The U.S. Supreme Court breaks up John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company trust May 15, ruling in the case of Standard Oil Co. of N.J. v. United States.
- An electric self-starter invented by C. F. Kettering improves automobile safety.
- Chevrolet Motor Co. is founded by former General Motors head W. C. Durant.
- The six-passenger Blériot Berline biplane built for Parisian Henri Deutsch de la Neurthe is the first airplane with an enclosed passenger cabin.
- The Santa Fe Deluxe goes into service December 2 between Chicago and Los Angeles. Passengers pay $25 extra fare each on the weekly 63-hour passenger express to enjoy services that include a barbershop, a library, a stenographer, ladies' maids, daily market reports, bathing facilities, a club car, a Fred Harvey dining car, four Pullman sleeping cars and telephones at terminals en route.
- Honolulu-born Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, 35, discovers the Inca city of Macchu-Pichu July 24 at an altitude of 7,972 feet in the Peruvian Andes while searching for the legendary Inca stronghold Vilcabamba.
- Paducah, Ky.-born Johns Hopkins physician Bertram M. (Moses) Bernheim, 31, introduces laparoscopic surgery to the United States, using a proctoscope -inch in diameter and ordinary light for illumination.
- The first direct telephone link between New York and Denver opens May 8.
- "Alexander's Ragtime Band" by Irving Berlin popularizes the ragtime music pioneered by Scott Joplin in 1899; and "Everybody's Doin' It" by Irving Berlin popularizes the Turkey Trot dance invented by dancer Vernon Castle and his 18-year-old bride Irene Foote Castle.
- Crisco is introduced August 15 by Procter & Gamble Co. of Cincinnati; made from linseed oil, it is the first solid hydrogenated vegetable shortening.
- The first canned chili con carne and tamales are produced at San Antonio, Texas, by William Gebhardt, who will receive 37 patents for his mechanical innovations.
- Stainless steel is patented in America.
- New York's Ellis Island has a record 1-day influx of 11,745 immigrants April 17.
- Wall Street's Dow Jones Industrial Average closes December 30 at 81.68, up slightly from 81.36 at the end of 1910.
|
