Come One, Come All!

Come to the Fair!

Progress can be measured through analyzing the advancement of any field over a period
of time. In Chicago, Illinois, people are celebrating the technological progress of the past couple
of decades in the Chicago Worlds Fair, otherwise known as the Worlds Colombian Exposition.
This fair, held in Chicago is commemorating the 400 anniversary of Christopher Columbus
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arrival in the Americas, but also praising the works of great inventors who improve our society
every day. Some of the fantastic new gadgets being shown at the fair are the telephone, the
phonograph and the Kodak camera.
The Telephone
In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell and his partner Thomas Watson invented the famous telephone
that is so widely praised today. Their process in creating the device was most interesting. Watson
would create some vibrations on an iron strip, while Bell would run into the other room to hear
the vibration. Although this did not directly lead to the invention of the telephone, after many
experiments the pair finally developed a device where one could talk and the other could listen
even from a long distance. This was the first telephone. The process of crafting the instrument
can be observed in more detail at the fair and there will be multiple telephones on display for the
general public.
Phonograph
There truly is nothing better than a good song. We can credit having music at our fingertips to a
man by the name of Thomas Edison. He invented the very first recorder/replayer in 1877, and
dubbed it the phonograph. This phonograph experienced little success until in morphed into a

more modern designs, including a cylindrical shape. In 1887, Emile Berliner invented the
gramophone, a device that was a more technologically advanced and more marketable adaption
of the phonograph. A more detailed description will be offered in the record player exhibit at the
fair, containing information as well as a physical evolutionary representation of the phonograph.
Kodak Camera
Nowadays, it is common to take a picture to capture a memory. At the fair, we will celebrate the
inventor of the Kodak camera, George Eastman. The Eastman Kodak started out as a glass plate
company. The glass plate had to be coated with emulsion to be developed, and that too is very
inefficient. The fame came with Eastmans dry plates that he created later, which had to be
processed with gelatin but were more user friendly. These exploded in the market, and little time
passed until Eastman started producing cameras with Nitrocellulose film. Kodak then became a
famous company, even producing film for moviemaking.
This event is laborer-friendly; its cheap, its a great learning experience, and its a nice break
from work. We expect hundreds of laborers coming from all over the country to attend. It will be
a fun event, so be sure to come!

Personal Hygiene
Hygiene is of utmost importance, especially for workers in the factory. In our society,
hygiene is something that is typically disregarded, given the fact that diseases like cholera,
dysentery and typhoid fever are very common. Our streets are congested and polluted with toxic
(and even human) waste. We often dont give simple hygiene a second thought. However, it can
make a huge difference in our everyday life, including having a longer life span. Some ways in

which people can improve their hygiene is by washing their hands, bathing regularly, keeping
your house clean, and boiling water to rid it of bacteria. Washing hands can greatly improve
ones health. According to studies done by several health professionals like Dr. Ignaz
Semmelweis (who is credited with recognizing the importance of hand-washing), hand washing
can even save lives! During the 1840s and 50s, maternity used to be so dangerous that 5/1000
women died during childbirth, depending on doctor/midwives experiences. Sometimes, the death
rates for the mother and child were multiplied by 10 or 20! However, these mortality rates for
childbirth dramatically decreased after Semmelweis simple direction to wash your hands was
implemented.
Bathing can also have the same positive effects of hand washing. However, be sure the
water you are using is boiled to keep away nasty diseases, like cholera. It is refreshing, and it
keeps you hygienic. If you dont want to waste water by taking a bath, river water is a good
alternative. Keeping your of house clean (washing dishes, cleaning countertops, doing the best
you can to clear of dust and grime) can also be a good step to warding away diseases of all
forms.
Laborers generally have a difficult time staying hygienic, given the disease-prone
working conditions. However, there are some precautions that can be taken to stay healthy in the
factory and at home, and its important to follow them.

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/01/12/375663920/the-doctor-who-championedhand-washing-and-saved-women-s-lives
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/ignaz-semmelweis-doctor-prescribed-hand-washing/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7726011@N07/4333316285