Science and Technology
In 1926, the invention of Technicolor made movies more entertaing and memorable. Consequently, the movie industry became a major part of American industry in general. |
| Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926 in Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket, which was named "Nell," rose just 41 feet during a 2.5 second flight that ended in a cabbage field. In his journal entry of the event, he wrote, "The first flight with a rocket using liquid propellants was made yesterday at Aunt Effie's farm." It is noted for its understatement. |
Henry Ford came out with the Model T in the late 1920s. By 1927, he had sold more than 15 million of them. The key was Ford's assembly line of production. By the end of the decade, there was almost one car per family in the United States. As a result, the automobile became an increasingly important part of American lives. The automobile's popularity, along with the construction of roads and highways, pourin fresh public funds into the economy, brought great economic prosperity. |
In 1927, Charles A. Lindbergh flew his pioneering flight across the Alantic Ocean. He flew non-stop from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis in 33.5 hours. |
In 1928, penicillin was discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming. It was an accidental discovery. After returning from a long vacation, Fleming noticed that many of his culture dishes were contaminated with a fungus and he threw the dishes in disinfectant. When he had to show a visitor what he had been researching, he retrieved some of the dishes and noticed a zone around an invading fungus where the bacteria could not seem to grow. He investigated its anti-bacterial effect on many organisms, and noticed that it affected certain bacteria, such as scarlet fever, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and meningitis. |
| HOME! |