Inventions that Benefited Your Ancestors in the 1930s
Yes, the 1930s were defined because the United States and the world had to deal with the Great Depression of the 1930s. Life was hard for many but there were many events and items that existed in the 1930s that gave pleasure to your ancestors. Include some in your family history.
During the 1930s, it was an era of inventions and innovation. This decade saw the invention of the ballpoint pen, which is something that we all rely on today. The electric razor was also invented in this decade, as was the Polaroid photograph, nylon fabric, and the photocopy machine.
Scotch Brand Cellulose Tape, the iconic Scotch Tape was invented in this decade. The idea came from a 3M engineer, Richard G. Drew. It was the world’s first transparent adhesive tape. It was created so bakers, grocers, and meatpackers had a way to seal food wrap. Eventually, this totally revolutionized how people were able to secure photos in albums and clippings in scrapbooks.
There was Clarence Birdseye who developed the frozen food process, a must-have nowadays. In 1930, DuPont Chemical Company scientists came up with a substance that stretched and had a silky texture. Toothbrush bristles were usually made from boar’s hair up until 1938. Natural animal bristles were also replaced by synthetic fibers, usually nylon, by DuPont in 1938. The first nylon bristle toothbrush made with nylon yarn went on sale on February 24, 1938.
An item your ancestors may have really enjoyed was the first car radio. Two brothers Joseph and Paul Galvin teamed up with William Lear, a radio parts owner and Elmer Wavering, an audio engineer and installed their first model of a radio into a Studebaker in May of 1930. In 1930, the American Galvin Manufacturing Corporation marketed a Motorola branded radio receiver for $130. A month later, Paul Galvin cranked up the radio near a pier at a convention in Atlantic City and needless to say, orders began to fly in for the radios. In 1933, Ford began offering his cars installed with Galvin Manufacturing or Motorola radios.
The Nestle Company made having a cup of coffee very easy in 1938 with the development of instant coffee.
Our 1930s-era ancestors would have had the chance to be among the first to enjoy the convenience offered by these new things.
Photo: 1938 Nylon Toothbrush by DuPont.
Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:
Your Ancestors During the 1930s
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