The solution to our energy problems is … a toaster - Rachel Yang

In 1919, American mechanic Charles Strite invented something humanity had desired for millennia: the automatic toaster.

Various cultures had long toasted their bread over fire in a process that required constant attention and produced uneven results.

But in 1905, toast technology evolved with the invention of a new nickel and chromium composite.

When an electric current ran through these filaments, they would overflow with energy and radiate heat.

And since the flexible metal could be coiled to match the dimensions of a standard slice of bread, this heat could be dispersed evenly— perfectly toasting an entire slice all at once.

The only problem left was overcooking, which Strite’s model addressed with an automatic timer that simultaneously shut off the heating element and launched finished toast skyward.

Strite’s appliance would’ve been the best invention since sliced bread, except that sliced bread was actually invented later to accommodate toasters.