20th Century Science

20th Century Science

Digital Time Capsule

By: Katherine Beach

#1 Polio Vaccine

In the mid-nineteen hundreds, one of the most threatening diseases a child could get was Polio. Jonas Salk created a vaccine that would resist the disease. He wanted all children to have access to his vaccination so he did not patent it. This vaccination has helped so much that polio is no longer a major threat to children and adults as it use to be.

#2 Penicillin

Penicillin is another major medical advancement that has impacted our lives and history. Penicillin was the first treatment for serious infections. Alexander Fleming discovered the medicine in 1928 which led to more treatments during WWII. It has impacted our world since it has improved the way we treat major infections.

#3 Cell Phones

The first cellphones were invented and created in 1979 but did not become popular until later years. This was a huge advancement in our communication systems. This enabled people to contact others quickly in case of emergency or for other reasons like making plans for dinner. We wouldn't have the smartphones we have today without the creation of the first cell phone.

Thank you!

#4 The First Airplane

The brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright invented and created the first successful airplane in 1903. This changed the mindset of Americans and scientists from all over the world. Because of their invention, people were inspired to work harder to find the possibilities of space travel. It also of course was the start of a new major way of faster transportation.

Order of Advancements

The reason I placed the advancments in the order that I have, is that I placed them in the order of health and safety to effciancy and science. I beleived that the polio vaccine and the discovery of Penicillin were the most important advancments because they saved lives and advanced our medical feilds which keep us healthy and alive. Cell phones were number three because they improved our safety by allowing us to have full time access to 9-1-1 in times of emergency. I then moved to the first airplanes because it ispired space travel and it led to everyday transportatino that was much faster. I ended with the landing on the moon because that was a major accomplishment for America and it has continued to infulence us to investigate to where we are now in space travel.

#5 Moon Landing

In 1969 the first manned spacecraft landed on the moon. This not only allowed us to ein the "space race" but also inspired further investigating into space and it's elements. This was a major American accomplishment and is something all Americans are united for and proud of .