The first invention I learned about this week was condensed milk. Gail Borden invented condensed milk after seeing children die from ingesting contained milk, and after becoming interested medicine after his wife died. Condensed milk is heated to kill bacteria, evaporate water, and with sugar added as a preservative. It was an important part of the rations of Union soldiers, and they spread the word after the war ended. Nestle got started making condensed milk, resulting variety in a sweet treat made by them today.
The second invention I learned about this week was the sleeping car. George Pullmen invented the sleeping car in 1856 with help of savings he earned working as an engineer in Chicago. The sleeping car provides a comfortable but compacted sleeping area for passengers taking long train rides. Pullman advised the car as a way for the middle class to experience upper class living at low price. The large number of well-paid porters gave rise to the black middle class and the civil rights movement.
The third invention I learned about this week was toilet paper. Toilet paper was invented by Joseph Gayetty, ending the primitive methods for cleaning that had exist up to that point. Toilet paper is a clean and hygiene way of cleaning yourself; it can be put to other uses to. Gayetty appealed to the public sense of fear by using paper with poison in it, and he promised health benefits for people who did use his. It has improved over time. We are much better off with this cheap commanded than without it.
The fourth invention I learned about this week was the washing machine. Hamiliton smith invented the washing machine in 1858 to bring benefits of technology into the home. Washing machines automatically and efficiently clean clothes and drastically reduce the time and labor involved. Improved machines were advertised, and by the 1930’s a million were being sold every year. Housewives gained a lot of free time from this machine.
The most interesting thing I learned about this week was that toilet paper was made out of old recycled paper. I find it interesting because you can re-use old paper and turn it in to something you use a lot more.
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