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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

American Ingenuity

What's It Wednesday #125
As we fast approach the 4th of July, I wanted to find a way to celebrate and honor our nation. What better way than to share some wonderful finds that Americans invented or made great.

Let's look at the ice cream freezer. First, it was in the USA where ice cream manufacturing and popularity soared.

In 1846 a woman named Nancy Johnson in New York made life easy for us ice cream lovers by inventing a crude, but easy to use, hard crank ice cream maker. Remarkably, she never patented the device!

It was March 10, 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell spoke into his device and said to his assistant, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you”. I wonder what he would think of the cell phones of today? We've come a long way!

The typewriter. The modern version is itself obsolete. Back in 1867 Christopher Latham Sholes invented the first practical, modern typewriter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

Mention this word to young people, and they ask “what's that?”. Better yet don't... it'll make you feel old... fast!

In 1874, William Blackstone of Indiana built a birthday present for his wife, which removed and washed away dirt from clothes.

The first washing machine designed for convenient home use was born.

On February 17, 1891, Albert Richardson filed a patent for the butter churn.

The device consisted of a large cylinder and a plunger like handle that moved up and down. Imagine, taking half the day just to make butter!


We've used our good ol' “American ingenuity”, to make life better and more enjoyable. Take a look around your home, chances are most of your conveniences were created right here in the USA.

America, long may she reign!
Hugs,
Patti

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61 comments:

Heirloom treasures said...

What a lovely patriotic post. Very nostalgic pics

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Ya'll take the most beautiful photos AND I always learn something.
(())

Babs said...

What a great post! LOVE seeing the American inventions. The ice cream churn reminds me of my childhood. My grandmother had one like it and would set it up outside with a thick newspaper on top. The little grand kids would turn the crank, then when the handle got too hard for them to turn, one of them would sit on the top, while the bigger grands took turns cranking it the last few times. I also remember her making butter in a churn like that one. Thanks for the memories and a great post.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for the party!! Loved this post and the great features!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Stone Cottage Adventures said...

What a lovely tribute to American inventions! Thank you! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Yes, you are so right, nothing like good ole American ingenuity. And must admit, I learned to type on a manual typewriter and when the electric ones came out I thought, now this is progress!...Been on the lookout for a great vintage ice cream maker to put in our retro dinette...I remember as a child we siblings fighting over who gets to turn the crank on the ice cream machine! Thanks for hosting and thanks so very much for the feature of my bedroom!

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Love this post and so appropriate for the holiday! Simpler times for sure when those things were in use. Thanks for hosting!

Shannon said...

Great post to celebrate our country. I've got to get on my 4th decorations. Thanks for hosting.

Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com

Kameel huise tussen spore said...

Love your post. It is so nostalgic and interesting. Thanks for your interesting post.

ornate splendor said...

Thanks so much for a fun and patriotic post! American ingenuity is definitely something to be celebrated! Aren't we all so very, very fortunate to live in the USA...

Thanks for hosting - always so much inspiration here! :)

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

Nothing like American ingenuity! I learned how to type on a selectric...I believe they were one of the first electric typewriters. Make a mistake? You would have to use white out! We've come a long way baby.

Thank you for the party!

Stacey said...

I really like your post with the American inventions. Thank goodness for Mr. Carrier too who gave us air conditioning. :)

Thanks for the party today.

Curtains in My Tree said...


The old inventions, well I am sure I collected every one at some time in my life.
I still like the looks of the old black typewriters, they look so good on an old desk beside out computers
can't believe the 4th is almost here

JP said...

Patti, you always share such fun stuff with us to take us back in time! I'm glad that I got a reminder to stop by your party....Happy Wednesday!
JP

Rhonda said...

Oh how far we've come!! Love walking down memory lane with you:) thanks for hosting another great party!

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Thank you so much for the party! What beautiful inspiration in your features this week. Love Cathy's little corner of the kitchen and the gorgeous bedroom makeover!
Wishing you a wonderful week!
XO Barbara

Decor To Adore said...

Long may she reign indeed! Thank you for hosting such sunny inspiration.

Salmagundi said...

Beautiful images! American through and through. Sally

Bliss said...

My thighs are not sure if they should praise or curse the ice cream maker and the butter churn, but my stomach is forever grateful.

Crafts a la Mode said...

Beautiful!! Hope you have a great week ahead..

Celestina Marie said...

Love this post and all the great info! Your photos are incredible. You are such a talent with your camera. Great features once again. Thank you for hosting.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Hugs

Unknown said...

What a wonderful tribute to American ingenuity! Thanks for hosting and blessings to you,
Patti

Helen's Decor said...

Thanks for the great party! It's been a long time since I've seen a wooden ice cream maker. Babs R, my family did the same as yours.

Always love seeing the RED, WHITE, AND BLUE!!!

Helen

Muscetta said...

Great inventions from a great country. Thanks for hosting. Have a great week. Tina

Lou Lou Girls said...

Hello cute lady! Fabulous party. Thanks for hosting. Please come and party with us. We would truly love to have you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday! Lou Lou Girls

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

This was a great post! I really enjoyed seeing all of your vintage pieces on display!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Patti, what a great post - amen to American ingenuity! Thanks for hosting the party and sharing it all with us. Have a good week!
Rita

Alessandra said...

What a great and patriotic post!Thanks for sharing all the american inventions
Kisses
Alessandra

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

Great post, Patti! Thanks so much for the party!

Jeanette

Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance said...

Love your Patriotic post!! Thanks for hosting! All linked up!
~Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance

Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance said...

Love your Patriotic post!! Thanks for hosting! All linked up!
~Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance

Diane said...

Love the vintage inventions. Great photos and thanks for the party!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Patti, Great post! Thanks for hosting.
Hugs,
Sherry

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Great American Post!! Love all the fantastic photos too!
Hugs,
Jody

Tarnished Royalty said...

You always put so much thought into your posts Patti. Another great one!! ~Ann
Tarnished Royalty

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

What a cute idea for a post! I'm sure Mr. bell would be shocked and in love with today's phones!

Janice Kay Schaub said...

I love joining your party. I think I have goofed up though. I added two posts that may not be what you are looking for. At first I thought they would fit in but if you feel they dont please remove them. One is Bluebell Woods and the other My garden Journal. I think the first on fits in........sorry
Janice

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Hi Patti. Thank you for hosting. I remember eating some great ice cream when I was little and my dad churned that machine. Loved everything and all the great features..Happy Wednesday..Judy

Treat and Trick said...

Not only you shared a beautiful things but informative as well. Always love to join your fabulous party Patti..

Deanies Stash said...

This was a great post. Thanks for the weekly party!

Art and Sand said...

Thanks for hosting and for the fun lesson on American inventions. The telephone is great, but the ice cream maker is much more fun.

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Hey there girls! Love all of the pictures...that is a cool typewriter and that ice cream maker sure brings back the memories of summers long ago! Have a great weekend :)
Karla & Karrie

Burlap Luxe said...

Oh Patti,
So remember all of these American made pieces of history, it was so authentic to sit around the table with family and friends on a hot summer farm day cranking the ice cream maker only to get the smallest amount of ice cream to share with many. And a wash ringer to crank out that wetness from our close, and to type on keys that stuck from a manual old typewriter :)
Memory lane was all American over here.
Happy up an coming 4th to you, and thank you with all I got to thank with for adding joy to my days with a visit from you.

Have a beautiful weekend girls!
Looking forward to what's to come.

Xx
Dore

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

As always, wonderful post....I always learn something new by reading your blog. Great photographs, and a lovely way to pay homage to the USA!!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

I love all of these inventions! Definitely a wonderful Americana tribute. Thanks for sharing them with SYC and thanks for hosting.
hugs,
Jann

Unknown said...

Thank You SO MUCH for the feature!!! Thank you so much for hosting.
Heather @ Ever Evolving Life 4-5

Linda said...

Thanks for the celebration of yankee ingenuity. Great pictures too! So glad each one of these things were invented!! We still use and ice cream maker at my daughter's… electric. I do remember turning that crank and Daddy finsihing it up. Happy 4th of July! visiting from Shabbilicious Friday. Linda @bushelandapickle

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Patti, I love your patriotic vignettes and the bust of the women with the bandana, is so unique. So beautiful. Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

eileeninmd said...

What a great post in honor of our nation, perfect for the 4th of July! There are all great inventions..Thanks for sharing, have a happy week!

Red Rose Alley said...

Patti,
I love the butter churn, and I've seen it many times on the old Prairie shows that I watch. And the typewriter.....what a historic classic that is. Do you know that I learned to type on a manual typewriter until the electric typewriter came about? To this day, I can type just as fast as I did then.

What a wonderful post showing American made items. There are some clever inventors out there, isn't there?

Happy Fourth of July to both of you ladies.

love,
~Sheri

Lou Lou Girls said...

Everything looks incredible! Pinned! Thanks for stopping by our party last week! We are tickled to have you. Please come and party with us tonight at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

First, thank you Patti, for coming over to meet Abby and leaving such kind words.

I think at times we take all these inventions for granted.. Can you imagine spending most of the day churning butter? And that wringer washer, my great grandma had one...
Thanks for the great post, and hosting.
blessings,
Penny

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

I really loved this post girls, I have every item that you shown in my home..of course I started collecting antiques in 1979..Happy fourth my dear friends..Hugs from my mountain to yours..Gl♥ria

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Gorgeous nostalgic and patriotic images, I love them! Thank you lades for hosting and having me.
Wishing you a wonderful 4th. holiday.
Hugs,
FABBY

Lou Lou Girls said...

Hello beautiful! Thanks for hosting such a great party. I hope you get a chance to stop by our party. We would be thrilled. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com
Happy Wednesday! Lou Lou Girls

The Vintage Chateau said...

Your photos are all so fun! I always learn something new from you. Happy Fourth!
Karee

Trisha said...

Have a wonderful 4th of July!

~Trisha

Revi said...

LOVE this post! (And homemade ice cream, and butter...)Thanks for sharing at Revisionary Life Thrifty Life Thursday.

Natasha in Oz said...

Thanks so much for sharing this fascinating post at the Say G’Day Saturday Linky Party. I’ve given your post a +1, shared on Pinterest and will be featuring you at my Friday Favorites post!

Best wishes and Happy 4th of July!
Natasha in Oz

Unknown said...

I love this post. What away to honor our nation. Thanks for sharing this.

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