1923

Abby B. Caroline P. Running Citation Page [|Primary Source: J. Francis Macbride's notes during an expedition in Peru]
 * 1923 **




 * Inventions and Advancements in Medicine **


 * The Traffic Signal
 * Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal as a response to the explosion of the automobile industry in the early 1900s. Since roads were not yet accustomed to the heavy amounts of automobile traffic, crashes were extremely frequent and roads were extremely dangerous. To help solve the problem, Morgan invented a traffic signal which was the first to gain a U.S. patent. It had three directions, allowing cars in all directions to stop, or for individual directions to stop or go. This allowed pedestrians to cross streets safely. This helped America by creating a safer network of roads for both pedestrians and automobile drivers.
 * Insulin
 * Frederick Banting, Charles Best, and J. J. R. Macleod began experimenting with the development of insulin in 1921. They treated (and saved) their first diabetic patient in 1922, and, by, 1923, insulin was readily available for medical use. The team won the 1923 Nobel Prize in Phisiology and Medicine. This benefitted Americans by providing a treatment for a condition that was, until then, very grave.
 * Popsicles
 * Frank Epperson is credited with first marketing the popsicle (originially the Epsicle, after its creator) in 1923. Legend states that Epperson with in New Jersey and accidentally left a glass of lemonade with a spoon on a windowsill. The lemonade froze onto the metal handle, giving Epperson his idea. Though other similar frozen treats were available at the time, Epperson was the first to mass produce them, so he is given credit for their creation. The Popsicles were a major hit throughout the country, and they were patented in 1924.

**Personalities of the Year**
 * Babe Ruth
 * Though Babe Ruth had been a huge sports figure since around 1915, he led the New York Yankees to their first win in the World Series in 1923. It was the third year in a row that the Yankees played the Giants in the World Series, but it was the first time they were able to secure the title.
 * Duke Ellington
 * Ellington was a jazz pianist, leading his band from 1923 to 1974. He had a successful career in Washington, D.C. but moved to Harlem in 1923 after earning an invitation to play at the Exclusive Club. After that gig, he began playing a full schedule at various clubs in and around Harlem, eventually becoming one of the most famous musicians of his time.
 * Alice Paul
 * Alice Paul was a female suffragist who lobbied for years to pass the 19th Amendment. In 1923, she introduced an Equal Rights Amendment to Congress, which stated that "men and women shall have equal rights throughout the United States." That particular amendment never passed, but she played a huge role in bringing the plight of women to the public eye.

**Major Headlines of 1923**  []
 * 140,000 fall dead in Tokyo from what may be known as the worst earthquake man has ever seen
 * President Harding dies suddenly . ... Calvin Coolidge is president
 *  People rush to the opening doors of the Yankee Stadium
 * The first headline relates to September 1st, when one of the worst earthquakes ever reported struck Tokyo, Yokohama. It was ranked with an 8.3 magnitude and was the cause of many fires around the area. The second headline covered Warren G. Harding, who was the 29th president who died while he was in office. He was only 59 years old and was well remembered for the Teapot Dome Scandal which dragged on for ten years. Harding died of a stroke while being read to from his wife in a hotel in San Francisco, California. The third headline covers the opening of the Yankee Stadium on April 18th. People were anxious after waiting 284 days of construction . The first game held 74,200 fans! 