Inventions of the twentieth century

Introduction

The twentieth century began in 1901 and ended in 2000.

It was the last century of the second millennium. Was characterized by advances in technology, medicine and science in general.

Technology, science, and inventions have progressed at an accelerated rate during the hundred years of the 20th century, more so than any other century.

TIMELINE 

INVENTIONS

By 1900 the German chemical industry dominated the world market for synthetic dyes. The three major firms BASF, Bayer and Hoechst produced several hundred different dyes, along with the five smaller firms. In 1913 these eight firms produced almost 90 percent of the world supply of dyestuffs and sold about 80 percent of their production abroad. The three major firms had also integrated upstream into the production of essential raw materials and they began to expand into other areas of chemistry such as pharmaceuticals, photographic film, agricultural chemicals and electrochemicals. Top-level decision-making was in the hands of professional salaried managers; leading Chandler to call the German dye companies "the world's first truly managerial industrial enterprises". There were many spinoffs from research—such as the pharmaceutical industry, which emerged from chemical research.

Ida Henrietta Hyde (1857-1945) was an American physiologist who invented the microelectrode in the 1930's. The microelectrode is a small device that electrically (or chemically) stimulates a living cell and records the electrical activity within that cell.

The microwave oven was invented as an accidental by-product of war-time (World War 2) radar research using magnetrons (vacuum tubes that produce microwave radiation). In 1946, the engineer Dr. Percy LeBaron Spencer, who worked for the Raytheon Corporation, was working on magnetrons. One day at work, he had a candy bar in his pocket, and found that it had melted. He realized that the microwaves he was working with had caused it to melt. After experimenting, he realized that microwaves would cook foods quickly - even faster than conventional ovens that cook with heat. The Raytheon Corporation produced the first commercial microwave oven in 1954.

KWOLEK, STEPHANIE LOUISE

Stephanie Louise Kwolek (1923- ) is an American chemist who discovered kevlar and many other para-aramid fibers. Kevlar (poly[p-phenyleneterephtalamide]) is a polymer fiber that is five times stronger than the same weight of steel. Kevlar is used in bullet-proof vests, helmets, trampolines, tennis rackets, and many other commonly-used objects.

In 1921, Willis Haviland Carrier patented the centrifugal refrigeration machine. The 'centrifugal chiller' was the first practical method of air conditioning large spaces. Previous refrigeration machines used reciprocating-compressors (piston-driven) to pump refrigerant (often toxic and flammable ammonia) throughout the system. Carrier designed a centrifugal-compressor similar to the centrifugal turning-blades of a water pump. The result was a safer and more efficient chiller.

Leo Hendrik Baekeland was born in Ghent, Belgium, in 1863

He then started his own laboratory in Yonkers, New York, where he invented Bakelite in 1907, a synthetic substitute for the shellac used in electronic insulation.

Bakelite was made by mixing Carbolic Acid with Formaldehyde, it is considered the first plastic. In 1909, Bakelite was introduced to the general public at a chemical conference. Baekeland founded the General Bakelite Corp. In 1944, Bakerlite was used to manufacture everything form telephone handsets or costume jewelry for example as well as engine parts and insulation for electronics.

THOMAS ALVA EDISON. In 1915 This great genius, perhaps the most prolific inventor of all time, was born in Milan, Ohio, USA. At Edison we owe, among other inventions, the phonograph, the incandescent electric lamp, the talkies, the bulb, microphone, and the fluoroscope, also made other improvements and improved inventions.

ROY J. PLUNKETT. In 1957 Chemist who discovered the Recina of tetrafluoroethylene while researching the company DuPont. Recina This is nothing but what is commercially known as Teflon, which also has applications in refrigeration and plastics spray aereoesplacial industry.

Edmund Germer. In 1940 Developed the fluorescent lamp and mercury lamp high pressure. Significantly increased the efficiency of lighting devices, making it more economical and produce less heat making incandescent light.

The discoverer of nylon and who was first patented Wallace Hume Carothers. At his death, Du Pont Company retained the patent.Du Pont Laboratories in 1938, produced this strong, elastic synthetic fiber that would replace in part to the silk and rayon.

The nylon is elastic and resilient textile fibers, not the moth attack, does not require ironing and is used in the production of socks, woven and knitted fabrics, also sows and lines. The molded nylon is used as hard material in the manufacture of various utensils, such as handles of brushes, combs, etc.Obtained by polymerization of a phenol derivative, adipic acid, and a derivative of ammonia, exametilenodiamina.