Garnerin Makes the First Parachute Jump
Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute jump on October 22, 1797, from a balloon over Paris. He landed safely.
The Liverpool and Manchester Railway Opens
On September 15, 1830, the Liverpool to Manchester railway opened, the first modern intercity line, and killed MP William Huskisson.
Alfred Nobel Is Born in Stockholm
On October 21, 1833, Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel prizes, was born in Stockholm.
Elias Howe Patents the Lockstitch Sewing Machine
On September 10, 1846, Elias Howe patented the lockstitch sewing machine, the design that made machine sewing practical.
Henri Giffard Flies the First Powered Airship
On September 24, 1852, Henri Giffard flew the first powered airship, 27 kilometres from Paris to Trappes.
A Filament That Would Not Burn Out
Edison lit a carbon filament lamp for 13 and a half hours on October 21, 1879, making electric lighting practical.
Edison Tests the Practical Light Bulb
Thomas Edison tested the first practical incandescent light bulb on October 21, 1879. The carbon filament burned for over thirteen hours.
The World's First Hydroelectric Power Station Starts Operating
On September 30, 1882, the Vulcan Street Plant in Appleton, Wisconsin, became the world's first hydroelectric power station.
George Eastman Patents the Kodak Camera and Registers the Trademark
On September 4, 1888, George Eastman patented the Kodak roll-film camera and registered the Kodak name, opening photography to the mass market.
The First Electric Underground Railway Opens
On November 4, 1890, the City and South London Railway opened the first deep level electric underground line in the world.
Boston Subway Opens: First in North America
On September 1, 1897, Boston opened the Tremont Street Subway, the first subway tunnel in North America. It still carries trains today.
The Wright Brothers Fly 24 Miles
On October 5, 1905, Wilbur Wright flew 24 miles in 39 minutes, a record that stood until 1908.
Santos-Dumont Makes a Powered Flight
Alberto Santos-Dumont made the first officially witnessed flight in Europe on October 23, 1906, in his 14-bis aircraft.
The First Ford Model T Is Built at the Piquette Plant
On September 27, 1908, Ford built the first Model T at its Piquette plant in Detroit, beginning the age of the cheap car.
Tanks Are Used in Battle for the First Time
On September 15, 1916, British tanks were used for the first time in battle at Flers-Courcelette on the Somme.
The First Commercial Radio Station Goes on the Air
On November 2, 1920, station KDKA in Pittsburgh went on the air, and it is counted as the first commercial radio station in the United States.
Baird Shows the First Television
On October 30, 1925, John Logie Baird demonstrated television, sending a moving image by wire.
Thomas Edison Dies at 84
Thomas Edison died on October 18, 1931, aged 84, holding 1,093 American patents.
Leo Szilard Conceives the Nuclear Chain Reaction
On September 12, 1933, Leo Szilard conceived the nuclear chain reaction while crossing a street in Bloomsbury, London.
The First Transistor Radio Goes on Sale
On October 18, 1954, Texas Instruments announced the Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio sold to the public, a pocket sized set.
TAT-1, the First Transatlantic Telephone Cable, Opens
On September 25, 1956, TAT-1 opened as the first transatlantic telephone cable, carrying 36 simultaneous calls between Britain and North America.
Jack Kilby Builds the First Working Integrated Circuit
On September 12, 1958, Jack Kilby ran the first working integrated circuit, putting every component on one piece of semiconductor.