In 1894, the Charlotte Community Library opened. That was a very, very long time ago. To put it in perspective of just how long ago, let’s take a look at 10 quite interesting things that it may surprise you to find out are younger than the Library.
In 1895, a YMCA fitness director in Massachusetts devised a new sport for his patrons to play which combined aspects of basketball, tennis, and handball. The Library is 1 year older than volleyball.
In 1907, a Philadelphia schoolteacher thought that it would be much easier to ward off germs in his classroom if he gave each student a disposable piece of scrap paper to wipe their hands with, rather than the whole classroom sharing one cloth towel. The Library is 13 years older than paper towels.
In 1916, a man named Ernest Holmes thought that there was a better way to move stuck cars than manually hauling them with a rope. He patented a vehicle that incorporated a hook and chain to more easily transport disabled automobiles. The Library is 22 years older than tow trucks.
In 1926, Norma Mortenson was born into Los Angeles poverty to a mentally unwell mother and an unknown father. Despite her rough beginning, she would grow up, change her name, and become one of the most influential pop culture icons of all time. The Library is 32 years older than Marilyn Monroe.
In 1938, a comic book titled Action Comics #1 debuted which featured a character from writers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, who is widely considered to be the first modern superhero. The Library is 44 years older than Superman.
In 1943, mechanical engineer Richard James was experimenting with spring technology in the hopes of developing a way of securing ship equipment. Those plans never panned out, but he did end up creating a novelty toy. The Library is 49 years older than slinkies.
In 1959, Mattel president Ruth Handler came up with the idea of marketing a doll that, unlike nearly all others at the time, would take the form of a fully grown adult, rather than an infant. The Library is 65 years older than Barbie.
In 1963, poultry food scientist Robert Baker was trying to get the public excited about chicken again, after the food rations of WWII had made them sick of it, and came up with a chicken snack that was ground up and dipped in egg batter. The Library is 69 years older than chicken nuggets.
In 1974, a Hungarian architecture professor developed a device that would provide a vivid illustration to his students of three-dimensional spaces. Eventually, his invention would become a world-famous toy. The Library is 80 years older than the Rubik’s cube.
In 1980, Japanese video game company Namco released a new arcade game, created by designer Toru Iwatani, that would become one of the most popular games of all time. The Library is 86 years older than Pac-Man.
It’s amazing how much the world has changed in that time, and equally amazing that the Library has grown and adapted to keep being of service through it all. This November, the Library will be turning 130 years old! Come celebrate with us and our special festivities as we commemorate this historically momentous occasion!
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