Invention Timelines

Which came first: laser or fluorescent light? When was sliced bread invented? Find timelines of the history of inventions from the Middle Ages to the 21st century complete with detailed articles and photos.

  • WorldWideWeb for NeXT, released in 1991, was the first web browser
    The Top Inventions of the 1990s
  • A pair of elevator doors set in the wooden wall of a lobby
    The History of Elevators From Top to Bottom
  • Illustrated 16th century timeline
    16th Century Timeline 1500–1599
  • Painting of Benjamin Franklin wearing bifocals reading a document.
    Inventions and Inventors of the 18th Century
  • Early 20th century inventions: 1900: Zeppelin 1902: Teddy Bear 1910: First Talking Motion Picture 1913: Bra 1918: Fortune Cookie 1923: Traffic Signal 1935: Radar 1938: Ballpoint Pen 1943: The Slinky
    20th Century Invention Timeline 1900 to 1949
  • Student Anti-Vietnam Rally, 1968
    Vietnam, Watergate, Iran and the 1970s
  • 1940s tiimeline
    The War Years: A Timeline of the 1940s
  • A picture of Albert Einstein, standing, reading a book.
    A Timeline of the 20th Century
  • Steamboat on water - black and white drawing
    The History of Steamboats
  • Illustrated timeline of events from the 1990s
    World Events Timeline of the 1990s
  • Commercial airliner flying through the clouds
    The History of Transportation
  • Visual timeline of most of the 1980s
    Go Back in History With This 1980s Timeline
  • Illustrated timeline of the 1950s.
    A Brief Timeline of the 1950s
  • 19th Amendment victory
    Timeline of the Roaring 20s
  • Cyclist riding at night in the city
    History of the Bicycle
  • Mahatma Gandhi
    The Great Depression, World War II, and the 1930s
  • Close up of batteries
    History and Timeline of the Battery
  • Western Front Battlefields Ahead of The 100th Anniversary of The End of WW1
    World History Events in the Decade 1910-1919
  • Rocket Engine
    Rocket Stability and Flight Control Systems
  • ATMs in Thailand
    History of Automatic Teller Machines or ATM
  • Chinese New Year Fireworks
    The History of Early Fireworks and Fire Arrows
  • Beverage can in ice
    The Troubled History of Soda Pop and Carbonated Beverages
  • george westinghouse
    George Westinghouse's Influence on Electricity
  • Brassiere patent
    The History of the Brassiere
  • Walt Disney looks through a lens at an oversized paintbrush while a man drips paint from a tube
    Major Innovators of Early Motion Pictures
  • Electrical distribution lines glowing blue in the night
    History of Electricity
  • A man observes a model of Russia's Sputnik I, on display in a Rome department store.
    The History of Satellites - Sputnik I
  • Antique Wall Telephones on dirty yellow wall
    The Early History of Communication
  • Illustrated timeline of the history of photography.
    History of Photography Timeline
  • Benjamin Franklin Flying Kite in Storm
    Timeline of Electronics
  • Full color portrait of Sir Isaac Newton sitting in a chair.
    17th Century Timeline, 1600 Through 1699
  • Atari 2600 Games & System
    The History of Early Computer and Video Games
  • Close-up of laboratory microscope
    History of Microscopes
  • Range of aerosol cans used for graffiti macro
    The History of Aerosol Spray Cans
  • Answering machine button detail
    The History of Answering Machines
  • Timeline of 15th century inventions
    Amazing 15th-Century Inventions
  • cereal flakes in a bowl up close
    The History of Who Invented Breakfast Cereal
  • row of knights' helmets
    Invention Highlights During the Middle Ages
  • Portrait of Luca Bartolomeo de Pacioli or Paciolo (Borgo Sansepolcro, 1445 circa-Rome, 1517), Italian mathematician, Franciscan friar, Painting attributed to Jacopo de' Barbari (1460-1470 circa-1516)
    History of Accounting From Ancient Times to Today
  • stuffed Christmas stockings hanging above fireplace
    Popular Products That Originated From Christmas
  • A crash test dummy impacting an airbag
    The History of Airbags
  • Two hazy white shapes on a black background.
    August Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
  • The History of the Odometer
  • Armillary sphere
    Armillary Spheres
  • Woman uses an old traditional radio
    A Timeline of Events in Electromagnetism
  • Old Nabisco billboard advertising Oreos
    The Evolution of Nabisco Brands
  • Pairs of rain boots in front of school lockers
    Famous Inventions and Birthdays in February
  • 1900 Wright Brothers' glider flying as a kite.
    The Early History of Flight
  • Pens and pencils
    A Brief History of Writing
  • Herman Hollerith - Punch Cards
    Timeline of IBM History
  • Gatling Gun
    November Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
  • Little boy plays video games.
    Significant Dates in June for Science, Trademarks and Inventors
  • Harry Houdini Stunt
    March Calendar
  • Kellogg And Shaw
    April Calendar
  • Portrait of Louis Pasteur in His Laboratory
    Famous July Inventions and Birthdays
  • Nikola Tesla In His Laboratory
    May Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
  • Dopper on Wheels storm chasers
    RADAR and Doppler RADAR: Invention and History
  • 1840s cartoon of a man riding a rocket in the sky
    A Historical Timeline of Rockets
  • Portrait of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), Italian physicist, philosopher, astronomer and mathematician, by Justus Sustermans (1597-1681), 1636, oil on canvas
    December Calendar of Historic Inventions and Birthdays
  • Tables of Apple Mac products on display at the Apple Store in London
    The History of the Shopping Mall
  • Aerial view of a theme park during the daytime.
    The History of Theme Park Inventions
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