Here's the top 30 "things"...do we need to do "people"?
Dayton's Legacy of Innovation
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 1:00 PM by
DaytonCVB
From pioneering advancements in aviation to groundbreaking contributions in technology and beyond, Dayton's legacy of ingenuity is woven into the fabric of history. Join us as we continue to celebrate our 30th anniversary, by highlighting 30 creations that have not only transformed industries but also left an indelible mark on the world stage, showcasing the enduring impact of Dayton's inventive prowess.
1. First Practical Airplane - The Wright Brothers
Wilbur and Orville Wright, American aviation pioneers, revolutionized flight with their groundbreaking innovations. Observing birds' wing movements for inspiration, they developed the concept of "wing warping" and incorporated a movable rudder into their designs. On December 17, 1903, their perseverance paid off as they achieved the first free, controlled flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft. This historic flight lasted 59 seconds, covering 852 feet—a remarkable feat that marked the dawn of modern aviation.
2. Pop-top/Pull-tab Can - Ermal Fraze
In the 1950s, opening a can of beer required a church key, a small metal tool with a triangular tip for piercing cans and a rounded end on the other side for opening bottles. However, at a 1959 picnic, Ermal Fraze forgot his church key and improvised by using his car's fin to open a can. This moment of ingenuity led to the invention of the pop-top, revolutionizing the way we open cans forever. Without Fraze's innovation, we might still be puncturing triangular holes in cans instead of enjoying the convenience of the modern pop-top.
3. Stepladder - John H. Balsey
John H. Balsey's invention of the stepladder transformed how we reach new heights with ease and safety. Before its creation, accessing elevated areas often required unstable and precarious means. Balsey's innovation provided a stable and portable solution, featuring hinged steps that could be folded for convenient storage. With its patent secured on February 8, 1870, Balsey's creation became a staple in households and industries alike. His subsequent patents for an adjustable table leg and a paper bag machine showcased his ingenuity, but it was the stepladder that earned him the title of "The Stepladder King."
4. Ice Cube Tray With Lever - Arthur J. Frei
Arthur J. Frei, an inventive mind at Frigidaire, transformed the way we chill our drinks with his ingenious creation—the ice cube tray. With 23 patents to his name, Frei's innovation revolutionized ice-making convenience. Gone were the days of struggling to release ice cubes from metal trays; Frei's quick-release lever simplified the process, making ice cubes readily available with just a simple twist rather than running hot water over the metal trays.
5. Microfiche - Carl Carlson
Carl O. Carlson's invention of microfiche marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of document storage and management. With the creation of this compact film technology, Carlson introduced a revolutionary solution to the challenge of efficiently storing vast amounts of information. Microfiche allowed libraries, archives, and organizations to condense extensive collections into smaller files, making it easier to access and preserve valuable documents. This innovation not only streamlined data management processes, but also contributed to the democratization of information by enhancing accessibility.
6. Back Pack Parachute - Floyd Smith
Floyd Smith, the innovative mind behind the back pack parachute, changed the course of aviation history with his groundbreaking invention. On March 28, 1919, at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio, civilian Leslie Irving made history by executing the first-ever jump from an airplane, equipped with a free back pack parachute. Irving's daring leap from a DH-9 aircraft, piloted by none other than Floyd Smith himself, showcased the reliability and effectiveness of Smith's revolutionary design. This original parachute is on display at the
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. You can also visit the Aviation Trail Parachute Museum, co-located at the
Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park's
Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center.
7. Collapsible Portable Crib - E. R. Churchwell
E.R. Churchwell, a visionary inventor, revolutionized childcare with the creation of the first collapsible and portable baby crib. Recognizing the need for space-saving solutions for families with infants, Churchwell's innovative design offered unprecedented convenience and versatility. This groundbreaking crib provided parents with the flexibility to ensure their child's comfort and safety wherever they traveled. Churchwell's invention not only simplified parenting but also paved the way for future advancements in portable childcare equipment,
8. Space Food - Maurice Krug
Dayton Engineer Maurice Krug revolutionized space exploration with his ingenious invention: space food. Recognizing the unique challenges astronauts encountered while dining in zero-gravity environments, Krug pioneered the development of specially designed meals tailored for space missions. His innovative solutions, which initially consisted of serving a soft, mushy applesauce squeezed from a tube to prevent food from floating freely in the spaceship, not only addressed the practical concerns of eating in space, but also paved the way for sustained human presence beyond Earth's atmosphere.
9. Electric Automobile Starter - Charles F. Kettering
Next time you start your car with a simple push of a button or turn on the A/C to beat the summer heat, spare a moment for Charles F. Kettering, the visionary behind these everyday conveniences. In 1908, at the request of his friend Edward Deeds, Kettering embarked on a mission to improve the reliability of cars' electrical systems and eliminate hand cranking for starting. Back then, ignitions were temperamental, and acetylene gas trumped electricity for lighting. Kettering's spark ignition design not only revolutionized Deeds' kit car but also paved the way for the founding of the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, later known as Delco.
10. Freon - Thomas Midgley Jr. & Charles F. Kettering
In the perilous world of 1920s refrigeration, safety was a luxury few could afford. That all changed when Thomas Midgley Jr. embarked on a mission to revolutionize cooling technology. Faced with the deadly consequences of refrigerant leaks, Midgley sought a solution that was stable, nonflammable, and safe for human consumption. In a stroke of genius, he formulated dichlorodifluoromethane, better known as freon—a game-changer in the realm of refrigeration. Unlike its hazardous predecessors, freon posed no threat to life or property. Midgley, ever the showman, famously demonstrated its safety by inhaling a hefty dose and extinguishing a candle flame!
11. Cash Register - James Ritty
In 1879, James Ritty, a Dayton saloon owner, faced a common dilemma: rampant employee theft. Determined to stem the losses, Ritty drew inspiration from an unlikely source—the mechanics of a steamship. Envisioning a solution to the manual cash transaction process, he collaborated with his brother John, a skilled mechanic, to craft the world's first cash register. Constructed of brass, wires, and gears, this innovative device, aptly named the "Incorruptible Cashier," revolutionized business operations. With a simple press of a button, transactions were swiftly recorded, providing an invaluable audit trail to combat theft. The establishment of the Ritty Manufacturing Company in 1880 marked the dawn of a new era in retail efficiency and accountability.
12. Human Heart-Lung Machine - Leland Clark
In 1951, the collaboration between cardiologist Samuel Kaplan, surgeon James Helmsworth, and chemist Leland Clark yielded a groundbreaking invention—the world's first functional heart-lung machine. This revolutionary device, built upon Clark's earlier development of a bubble oxygenator, marked a significant leap forward in cardiac surgery. Clark's pioneering work extended beyond this milestone, encompassing innovations such as the oxygen electrode and the utilization of perfluorocarbons in liquid breathing and artificial blood compounds. His contributions continue to shape the landscape of medical science and cardiovascular care.
13. Rotary Solenoid - George H. Leland
Amidst the turmoil of wartime challenges in the late 1930s to early 1940s, the Army Air Corps turned to Leland, seeking a solution for accurately dropping small bombs from high-speed aircraft. This collaboration birthed the A-4 bomb release device, featuring an electrical solenoid. Innovatively, George introduced the rotary solenoid, renowned for its safety and immunity to shock, revolutionizing aerial warfare technology.
14. Motorized Wheelchair - Levitt Luzern Custer
In the wake of World War I's devastation, Luzern Custer, attuned to the needs of wounded soldiers, pioneered a transformative solution. Witnessing over 4,000 amputees seeking rehabilitation at Dayton Soldiers' Home, Custer recognized the crucial necessity for independence. Introducing the Custer Invalid Chair, a revolutionary three-wheeled vehicle powered by batteries, he empowered veterans with newfound mobility. This innovative design, akin to a self-propelled wheelchair, enabled users to traverse distances of 10 to 15 miles before requiring a recharge. Custer's ingenuity culminated in patent #D53,891 in 1919, marking a monumental leap forward in enhancing the lives of the physically challenged.
15. Price Tag Affixing Machine - Fred Kohnle
In 1902, Frederick Kohnle of Dayton revolutionized the retail landscape with his groundbreaking invention: the first automated price tag affixing machine. This device streamlined the laborious process of tagging merchandise in stores and shops. With a single stroke of the operating handle, the machine seamlessly produced tags from a roll of paper, imprinting them with price and other essential information, before securely stapling them to the merchandise with a wire staple. Kohnle's invention eliminated the need for time-consuming handwritten tags, marking a significant leap forward in efficiency and convenience for retailers everywhere.
