Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022
1882 The first Christmas Tree with electric lights. Edward H. Johnson used a set of 80 red, white, and blue electric incandescent light bulbs wired together. Johnson was an associate of Thomas Edison. Electric bulbs were too expensive for the average home at the time and didn’t start replacing tree candles until the 1930s.
1891 Seth Wheeler received a U.S. patent for perforated toilet paper. His patent was for the ability to easily tear off sheets. Wheeler also patented ornamental toilet paper with raised patterns in the sheets.
1895 German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the X-ray. He took an x-ray of his wife’s hand and when she saw her skeleton, she exclaimed “I have seen my death!”
Music History:
1979 Rupert Holmes started a 2-week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with “Escape, (The Pina Colada Song). His only US Number one solo hit.
Notable Birthdays:
Singer Songwriter Megan Trainor 29
Actor Ralph Fiennes 60
Rick Neilson guitarist from the Hall of Fame band Cheap Trick musician 74
Credit to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
