Famous inventions such as hair dryers, radios, refrigerators, and more have continuously evolved over time, with some leaving no trace of their original forms.
Hair Dryer
The first hair dryer was invented in 1890 by French hairdresser Alexander Godefroy. This was a large device that required the user to sit under it, with one end attached to a gas stove chimney to generate heat for drying hair.
Today’s hair dryers are compact and portable, making them easy to carry anywhere.
Sanitary Napkin
In fact, women have been using sanitary napkins for thousands of years. The oldest medical document, the Papyrus Ebers, states that the first products were made from soft papyrus paper, invented by Egyptian women in the 15th century BC.
Computer Mouse
In the mid-1940s, Professor Ralph Benjamin, while working for the British Royal Navy, invented a device resembling a computer mouse with a trackball to assist in radar fire control planning systems.
After numerous trials and improvements, he introduced the “Roller Ball” to the public, a product that functioned similarly to a standard mouse, designed with an external ball that interacted with two internal rubber-coated wheels.
Toaster
The technical challenge of electric toasters was the development of the heating element. This was resolved in 1905 by Albert Marsh, who designed a nickel-chromium alloy for the heating element. However, this product had a simple design without a protective casing, posing safety risks for children.
Compared to early models, today’s electric toasters are compact, convenient, and highly safe.
Headphones
In the 1890s, the first listening device was produced by a British company named Electrophone, designed by French engineer Ernest Mercadier. This device allowed customers to connect to live performances at theaters and opera houses across London.
Refrigerator
Ancient Persians had a unique method of creating refrigeration systems that provided cooling in the scorching desert. They called this type of refrigerator “Yakhchal.”
It wasn’t until the mid-1750s that Scottish professor William Cullen invented the first artificial refrigerator, which was compact and easy to transport.
Wristwatch
The world’s first watch was crafted by Peter Henlein from Nuremberg, Germany, in 1505 and is still operational today. The device resembles a small gold-plated brass sphere, designed in an Eastern style, and operates mechanically.
However, today, electronic wrist devices with multiple features are preferred by the younger generation.
Hair Clipper
The manual hair clipper was invented between 1850 and 1890 by Serbian barber Nikola Bizumić. While many modern devices have replaced it, some barbers in Western countries still choose to use this classic tool for trimming.
Television
The method of scanning images on television was invented in the early 19th century. From 1843 to 1846, inventor Alexander Bain introduced an image copying machine.
The first version of electronic television was invented by German physicist Ferdinand Braun in 1897 and was called the “Braun” tube—a type of vacuum tube containing one or more electron guns and a phosphorescent screen. These were used to accelerate and deflect electron beams onto the screen to create images.
Portable Music Player
The first portable turntables using transistors were developed in 1955 and powered by batteries. By the 1960s, portable tape recorders became popular.
Today, portable music players are often integrated into mobile phones.
