What a time to Invent!
Call Me, Maybe
Everyday Innovations
Up, Up, and Away!
Tech Talk
100

This kitchen appliance was invented in 1945 when a radar melted a candy bar. 

What is the microwave?

100

Before smartphones, people used this telephone device attached to a wall.

What is a rotary phone?

100

This colorful toy was originally a cleaning compound before being rebranded for fun.

What is play-doh?

100

The Wright brothers made history with this invention in 1903.

What is the airplane?

100

This machine once took up entire rooms but now fits in your pocket.

What is the computer?

200

The first electric version of this household cleaning tool was invented in 1901.

What is the vacuum cleaner?

200

This invention in 1983 let people make calls from their cars or the street.

What is the cell phone?

200

This disposable product, introduced in 1960, made parenting a bit easier.

What are disposable diapers?

200

This 1950s innovation made international travel faster and more common.

What is the commercial jet?

200

This item stored data before USB drives took over.

What are disks or diskettes?

300

This invention made copying documents faster and easier in offices starting in the 1950s.

What is a photocopier?

300

The first of these answering devices appeared in the 1970s.

What is the answering machine?

300

Sticky and yellow, this office supply was an accidental invention in 1974.

What is a Post-it Note?

300

This invention was launched into orbit by the USSR in 1957.

What is Sputnik (the first satellite)?

300

This worldwide system, launched in the 1990s, connected people like never before.

What is the internet?

400

Introduced in the 1920s, this time-saving appliance made laundry less of a chore.

What is the electric washing machine?

400

These compact devices were worn on the belt to receive short messages.

What are pagers or beepers?

400

First used in hospitals, this kitchen wrap became a household staple by the 1960s.

What is plastic wrap?

400

Neil Armstrong used this to take one small step for man.

What is the spacecraft (Apollo 11) or lunar module?

400

Invented in 1973, this device revolutionized communication by send short written notes using mobile phones, changing how we stay in touch.

What is text messaging?

500

Patented in 1928, this invention helped keep food fresh and changed grocery shopping habits.

What is refrigerated packaging or the refrigirator?

500

This platform, launched in the 1990s, combined phone and internet to let people talk face-to-face online.

What is video calling (or Skype)?

500

Popularized in the 1970s, these allowed people to listen to music privately on the go.

What are headphones or the Walkman?

500

This 20th-century invention allowed people to control flight without being on board.

What is the drone?

500

This home entertainment device allowed people to record their favorite TV shows and rent movies in the 1980s and '90s.

What is the VCR (video cassette recorder)?