Impact Celebration
WHEN: Friday, November 15, 2024 6:30 – 9:30 PM
WHERE: DREXELBROOK EVENT CENTER
THEME: The 1920s. Dress in your favorite 1920s gear while we listen to some great music. Check back for more information on items we will be raffling and who we will honoring.
1920s fashion was known for its glitz and glamour, but it also featured a move towards more casual and relaxed styles. Women’s clothing often revealed more of the arms and legs, with shorter skirts, simple shapes, and looser silhouettes. Men’s clothing was also less formal, with athletic clothing and casual suits becoming more popular. Some of the most iconic styles from the 1920s, such as the flapper dress and pinstripe suit, remain popular today.
INVENTIONS FROM THE 1920s
1. The Lie Detector (1921)
John A. Larson, a police officer in Berkeley, California, invented the first lie detector or polygraph in 1921. The polygraph measured physiological responses, such as heart rate and blood pressure, to determine if a person was being truthful or deceptive. Though its reliability and ethical use are still debated today, it’s been a staple in criminal investigations and has had a profound impact on the legal system.
2. Insulin (1922)
The discovery of insulin by Sir Frederick Banting and Charles Best in 1922 was a landmark breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes. Prior to insulin, a diagnosis of diabetes was a death sentence. The introduction of insulin therapy has since saved millions of lives and continues to be a fundamental treatment for managing diabetes.
3. Traffic Signal (1923)
Garrett Morgan, an African-American inventor, designed the three-position traffic signal in 1923. This invention played a pivotal role in regulating vehicular and pedestrian traffic, significantly reducing accidents and fostering order and safety on the roads.
4. Frozen Food Process (1924)
The advent of the frozen food process by Clarence Birdseye in 1924 transformed the food industry and our eating habits. Birdseye’s invention allowed for the preservation of food without compromising its taste and nutritional value, making seasonal food available year-round and revolutionizing the food supply chain.
5. Television (1927)
In 1927, Philo Farnsworth invented the first fully functional all-electronic image pickup device (video camera tube) and the fully functional and complete all-electronic television system. Television has since become a cornerstone of entertainment, information, and global culture, with its evolution bringing forth color TV, digital TV, and smart TVs, reshaping the way we perceive and interact with the world.
6. Penicillin (1928)
Though discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, it wasn’t until the 1940s that penicillin was developed as a pharmaceutical. This accidental discovery marked the commencement of the antibiotic era, transforming medicine and enabling the effective treatment of bacterial infections, saving countless lives over the past century.
7. Sliced Bread (1928)
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first bread-slicing machine, and the first loaf of sliced bread was sold in 1928. This invention led to the popular phrase “the best thing since sliced bread,” symbolizing a benchmark of practical innovation. Sliced bread introduced convenience and uniformity to households, affecting baking and eating habits worldwide.