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January 2, 2000
Seniors discuss best invention of centuryThose who lived through most of century offer their view of developmentsBy GUY PRIEL Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- As the world enters a new year, a new century and a new millennium, those residents who have lived through a major portion of the 20th century took an opportunity last week to sit back and reflect on the inventions, often taken for granted, that have improved life for people throughout the world. A handful of residents at Oak Hills Living Center, ranging in age from 92 to 78, gathered on Thursday to reflect back on what life was like when they were children and what inventions they have seen in their lifetime. "I would have to say penicillin is among the greatest inventions, or discoveries, of the past century," Oak Hills Director Eileen Jacobsen said. For 92-year-old Frank Heck, the greatest invention of the 20th century was one that lead to many other inventions, jet propulsion. "Everything that is invented leads to something else," he said. "It was a climate that allowed people to invent things." The microwave, laser beams, computers, satellite communications and the ability to explore were all born because of the invention of jet propulsion and the ability of man to reach the moon, Jacobsen said. "Our communications system is definitely one of the great inventions of the century," Theo Stadick said. "Such as the telephone and the television. You can pick up the phone and call Florida just as quickly as you can call your neighbor." Polio, vaccinations, laser surgery, transplants, hearing aids and other medical technology have all been great inventions as well, Oak Hills Resident Assistant Betty Wilfahrt said. "Air conditioning was a big invention compared to the fans we used to have to use," she said. Another big invention was the electric washing machine and the clothes dryer," Ruth Stelljes said. "I remember when we used to have to use a hand crank and manually wash all the clothes." As far as farming improvements, such inventions as tractors with lights, pipeline milkers and weed spray, were all important to the growth of the industry, Wilfred Lieske said. "Rural electrification was a great thing for America," he said. "You can't farm without it today." Power take-off that can be engaged with a lever is another great invention of the past century, Diane Sorheim said. "It wasn't until 1938 when we got electricity on the farm," Heck said. "Before that we made electricity with a windmill and a battery. There were no wires leading to the farm." Other inventions mentioned by the group included margarine, indoor plumbing, ice cream makers, talking watches, refrigeration and hearing aids. "The automobile," Jacobsen said. "Imagine the difference between the Model T and the Cadillac that's in your garage today." Roads themselves are also a great invention, because improvements were made in the middle of the 20th century to make travel safer and easier, Wilfahrt said. "Car heaters are another great invention," Jacobsen said.
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