QUIZ: Guess Which Decade These Vintage Items Were Invented
Step into the past and test your knowledge of bygone eras. In this quiz, you’ll be presented with a series of intriguing vintage items, each with its own unique story of invention. Your challenge is to accurately guess the decade in which these items were created.
From the iconic inventions that shaped the 20th century to the lesser-known gems of history, this quiz will take you on a journey through time. Dust off your mental time machine and put your historical intuition to the test. Get ready to unravel the mysteries of design, innovation, and creativity from decades gone by!
When was the typewriter invented?
A. 1860
B. 1950
C. 1820
D. 1910
A: 1860
The first commercially successful typewriter was invented in 1867 by Christopher Latham Sholes, Samuel Soule, and Carlos Glidden and patented a year later. This invention revolutionized communication and document creation, marking a significant step towards modern keyboard-based writing technology.
When was the rotary phone invented?
A. 1900
B. 1890
C. 1940
D. 1960
B: 1890
The first practical rotary dial was developed by Almon Strowger in 1891 and patented a year later. He patented the automatic telephone exchange, which utilized a rotary dial mechanism to automatically route calls without the need for a human operator. This marked a significant advancement in telephone technology.
When were Beanie Babies invented?
A. 1970
B. 2000
C. 1990
D. 1980
D: 1990
Beanie Babies were invented in 1993 by Ty Warner, the founder of Ty Inc. These stuffed animals were unique in their design, featuring a combination of soft plush material and plastic pellets (“beans”) that gave them a distinct feel.
When were vinyl records invented?
A. 1910
B. 1920
C. 1930
D. 1940
D: 1940
Vinyl records, as we think of them today, emerged in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Columbia Records introduced the 12-inch, 33 1/3 RPM (revolutions per minute) long-playing (LP) vinyl record in 1948, which allowed for longer playing times and improved sound quality.
When were crayons invented?
A. 1903
B. 1920
C. 1882
D. 1941
A. 1903
In 1903, cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith formed the partnership, Binney & Smith. They developed the first Crayola crayons, which were made from a mixture of paraffin wax and pigments. These crayons were designed to be safe and easy to use for children.
When were lunchboxes invented?
A. 1940
B. 1950
C. 1960
D. 1920
B: 1950
The first metal lunchboxes designed for children gained popularity in the 1950s. One of the earliest and most iconic designs was the “Hopalong Cassidy” lunchbox, released in 1950. It featured the popular cowboy character on the exterior.
When was Tupperware invented?
A. 1970
B. 1960
C. 1940
D. 1950
C: 1940
Tupperware was invented in the late 1940s. An American inventor and chemist, Earl Tupper, developed a line of airtight plastic containers for food storage. The breakthrough came in 1946 when Tupper introduced the patented “Tupper Seal” and the “Wonderlier Bowl,” which featured an airtight and watertight seal.
When were porcelain dolls invented?
A. 1890
B. 1860
C. 1820
D. 1840
D: 1840
Porcelain dolls, as we recognize them today, began to gain popularity during the 19th century. Between 1840 and 1880, German dollmakers, in particular, started producing porcelain dolls that were beautifully crafted and intricately painted. These dolls were often made by skilled artisans and were considered luxury items.
When was the electric toaster invented?
A. 1890
B. 1880
C. 1910
D. 1920
A. 1890
One of the earliest electric toasters was invented by Albert Marsh in 1893. His “Eclipse” toaster used a wire element made from an iron-chromium alloy to generate heat and toast bread. However, this early design was not very practical and had safety issues.
When were VHS tapes invented?
A. 1980
B. 1970
C. 1990
D. 1960
B: 1970
VHS tapes, short for Video Home System, were developed in the early 1970s. The format was invented by the Japanese company JVC (Victor Company of Japan) and was introduced to the market in 1976.
When were cassettes invented?
A. 1990
B. 1980
C. 1960
D. 1970
C: 1960
Cassette tapes were introduced by the Dutch company Philips in 1963, after being developed a year prior in 1962. It was initially designed for dictation and recording purposes. They featured a small plastic case containing two miniature reels of magnetic tape that could be wound from one reel to the other using a spindle.
When was the washboard invented?
A. 1800
B. 1900
C. 1850
D. 1790
D: 1790
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the first patented washboard design in the United States was attributed to Nathaniel Briggs, who received a patent in 1797 for his “washing board.” This early design featured wooden or metal ribs affixed to a wooden frame.
When was the floppy disk invented?
A. 1960
B. 1970
C. 1980
D. 1990
C: 1970
The first commercially successful floppy disk system, known as the 8-inch floppy disk, was invented by IBM engineer Alan Shugart in 1967 while working for IBM’s Storage Development Division. The invention was then released in its completed form in 1971.
When was the sewing machine invented?
A. 1790
B. 1830
C. 1770
D. 1810
B: 1830
In 1830, French tailor Barthélemy Thimonnier patented a working sewing machine that used a hook mechanism and an eye-pointed needle. His machine was designed for sewing straight seams on garments and was used in a small garment factory.
When was the stapler invented?
A. 1900
B. 1830
C. 1860
D. 1930
C: 1860
While the word “stapler” didn’t make the rounds until 1901, George McGill received a United States patent for his stapler invention in 1866 for “small, bendable paper fasteners.” His invention led to what people consider the modern-day stapler.
