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The Invention of Sliced Bread

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Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#2
First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen.

Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success is an inspiration, I think. But he was persistent which I suppose is the single most important quality an innovator can have.

Not to mention a sense of humor. "Mac-Roh Sales & Manufacturing". And then he ended up selling his business to "Micro-Westco".

I once asked my grand-father "What was the best thing before sliced bread?" Without hesitation he said, "Indoor plumbing."

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#4

First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen. Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success…

According to the article the best thing before "sliced bread" was "wrapped bread".

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#5

First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen. Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success…

> I'm surprise that he went about building the > large-scale automated machine first, rather > than evolving it from simpler devices.

Yeah, he never heard of doing the MVP first!

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#6
post #4

First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen. Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success…

According to the article the best thing before "sliced bread" was "wrapped bread".

It's bread all the way down.

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#7

First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen. Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success…

About the photo: I think it looks fairly representative of a colorized photo of that time. Note that this is not a photoshop job - it was colorized in 1920, probably by the photographer.

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#8
post #7

First, that is one of the sloppiest colorized photos I've ever seen. Now on to the article. Though I had heard bits and pieces of lore behind the invention, this is the first complete history. I'm surprise that he went about building the large-scale automated machine first, rather than evolving it from simpler devices. That the development was delayed and almost lost for good serves as a warning more than his success…

About the photo: I think it looks fairly representative of a colorized photo of that time. Note that this is not a photoshop job - it was colorized in 1920, probably by the photographer.

I agree, my grandmother has boxes full of photos that look like this.

Here's another example https://www.pinterest.com/pin/465911523921633003/

Re: The Invention of Sliced Bread

#9
Just to add some perspective from the outside world (I.e. Not America). In Italy sliced bread never really took over common bread. Yes we make toasts, and yes, we have sliced bread, but that's usually some industrial, over-processed bread loaf that you'll never find fresh at a bakery.

Here in Germany, were I live now, it's a mix. Common bread everywhere, but you can slice your own loaf at the supermarket with a terrific automated spring-loaded circular saw machine that's very cool to operate.

I just want to point out that "the best thing since sliced bread" is a sentence culturally linked to the U.S. conception of bread. I point that out because I had conversation with American friends in the past who were surprised by the non-universality of this sentence (as often happens with other cultural references).

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