Week 22 Summary Essay

               This was one of my favorite weeks, because of all the inventions I learned about including the clothes hanger, the rotary can opener, the mail-order catalog, and earmuffs. These inventions are used in many industries and are still used today. Here is a paragraph about each of them.

               The first thing I learned about this week was the clothes hanger, which was invented and patented by a man named O.A. North. We don’t know much about him, but we do know that he invented and patented it in January of 1869. Clothes hangers are devices that let us easily store our clothing. The invention began to spread; they were useful. They became important in small, New York apartment buildings. Finally, the invention of the clothes hanger led to the modern closet.

              The second thing I learned about this week was the rotary can opener. It was invented in 1870 in Connecticut by a man named William Lyman, who also invented the butter dish, the refrigerating pitcher, and the coffee pot. Before this invention, people had to use a chisel and a hammer to open a can, which was hard work that only men did, but because of the modern can opener, women and even children can open cans every day! Finally, the demand for can openers increased the number of cans in peoples’ homes.

               The third thing I learned about this week was the mail-order catalog. It was invented in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward, and he got the idea while on his way from Michigan to Chicago. He invented it because he heard some people complaining about the stores; how the stores sold bad-quality items for expensive prices. As soon as electricity became a part of peoples’ lives, this invention gave way to companies like Amazon.

              Finally, the last thing I learned about this week were earmuffs. They were invented in 1873 by a 15-year-old named Chester Greenwood, born in Maine in 1858. He invented them because his ears were cold while ice skating. Wool affected his ears; he couldn’t wear a scarf, and with the help of his grandmother, he invented earmuffs. This invention played a role in WW2, the construction industry, the fashion industry, and so many others.

             I enjoy learning about inventions in this history class. My favorite invention this week was earmuffs. I like this invention because it is used in many industries, even ones that are still around today. I also like this invention because it shows that people can invent anything and any age. Chester Greenwood was 15 when he invented earmuffs! 15! I think that is amazing! I can’t wait to learn about more inventions next week.