Technology

On December 7, 1941, Japanese bombers attacked American troops at Pearl Harbor, catapulting the US into World War II.

On November 23, 1889, the world’s first jukebox was displayed and used at the Palais Royal Saloon in San Francisco, California.

Wiley Hardeman Post was born on November 22, 1898, Van Zandt County, Texas.

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first man-made object in space, which sparked the start of the Space Race with the United States.

On July 27, 1909, Orville Wright flew a plane a record one hour and 12 minutes. Born in 1867 and 1871, Wilbur and Orville Wright had been interested in science and technology from a young age.  After receiving a flying toy as a gift from their father in 1878, they became fascinated with flight.  They sought to develop a heavier-than-air flying machine that could carry a man.

Alexander Calder was born on July 22, 1898, in Lawnton, Pennsylvania.  There’s been some confusion over the years though, as members of his family suggest he was born one month later, on August 22.

Richard Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller was born on July 12, 1895, in Milton, Massachusetts.

Nikola Tesla was born on July 10, 1856, in Smiljan, Austrian Empire (present-day Croatia).

Barbara McClintock was born Eleanor McClintock on June 16, 1902, in Hartford, Connecticut.