1844
A message between two cities
A documented transmission by Morse and Vail, tied to a particular route and system.
AI illustrationPAST / TRACES OF YESTERDAY
The world changes.One moment at a time.
Explore inventions, journeys and discoveries through their dates and the evidence they left behind.
A journey through time
View allFrom a message between cities to a first step on another world.
1903
Twelve seconds at Kitty Hawk
Lift, control and propulsion came together at Kitty Hawk.
1957
Sputnik: a signal from orbit
The first artificial satellite changed space exploration and Cold War competition.
1969
Apollo 11: reaching the Moon
Landing, surface work and the return journey were different stages of one mission.
1989 — 1990
Connecting the world. Looking beyond it.
The proposal that became the Web
Separating the proposal from the later working server and browser.
AI illustration
Hubble opens a window on space
Launch began a programme that would also depend on repair and renewal.
Every event has sources. Event dates stay separate from publication dates, and limits remain visible. Our editorial approach