Presidents and technology | E-Neighborhood Advisor

 

Who was the first president to be on TV? To use the radio? To fly on an airplane? Juni.com is celebrating President’s Day with some presidential history related to its favorite subject: technology! On April 30th, 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States. Since that historic day nearly 231 years ago, our country’s commanders-in-chief have witnessed an astounding amount of advancement and change, particularly in technology. In fact, many American presidents were some of the first to see the new technologies of their day in action. In honor of Election Day, here are some of the presidents’ technological firsts. Who was the First President to… Be on TV? Though Franklin D. Roosevelt made the first presidential appearance on black and white TV in 1939, for the World’s Fair, Harry S. Truman was the first to give a presidential speech on TV in 1947, during which he encouraged Americans to aid European famine. Truman was also the first president to have his inauguration broadcasted on television in 1949. Later, John F. Kennedy would be named the "first television president" for pioneering live TV coverage of political events, such as his presidential debate against Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon. Use the Radio? Warren G. Harding was the first president to install radio in the White House and broadcast his voice nationally, in 1922. However, the following president, Calvin Coolidge, was the first to do regular addresses over radio. Fly in an Airplane? In January 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first president to fly in an airplane on official business. The plane, a Boeing 314 Flying Boat, also known as the "Dixie Clipper," helped a 60-year-old Roosevelt secretly and hurriedly fly to the Casablanca Conference in Morocco, where he discussed WWII strategy with Winston Churchill. Ride in a Car? President William McKinley became the first serving president to ride in a car in 1901, when he took a short car ride in a car that was called the “Stanley Steamer”. Theodore Roosevelt became the first president to publicly ride a government automobile in 1902. Have his Voice Recorded? During his first year in presidency in 1889, Benjamin Harrison used a phonograph wax cylinder to record his speech regarding the first Pan-American Congress. The speech is now the oldest surviving recording of a president’s voice. While Rutherford B. Hayes did record a speech several years prior, it was sadly lost. Use a Telegraph? The 1844, invention of the telegraph baffled both the American people and government up until Abraham Lincoln’s presidency in the 1860s. During his term, Lincoln used the telegraph frequently to communicate with generals during the Civil War. In 1866, Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson installed the first telegraph room in the White House so that he could efficiently relay urgent messages. Have a Phone? In May 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to install a telephone in the White House’s telegraph room. For his first call, he called the inventor of the phone, Alexander Graham Bell, who was located 13 miles away. President Herbert Hoover installed the first telephone in the Oval Office in 1929, to enable the power of communications right at the president’s desk. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160 P.S. Here's a joke for you! Why did the computer go to the dentist?  Because it had Bluetooth.