First flight by Wright brothers and Model-T by Ford marked century's beginning. Silent movie industry flourished with Melies' 400th film in 1903. Tunguska event occurred in 1908, possibly asteroid-related
Second Industrial Revolution provided infrastructure for technological advancements. World Wars catalyzed technological innovation and military spending. Wright brothers invented first gas-motored airplane in 1903. First radio receiver successfully received transmission in 1901
Science and technology were seen as transforming the world. Writers aimed to be unashamedly didactic in the new century. Shaw and Galsworthy explored social and political issues in theater. Novelists like Wells and Bennett depicted social class frustrations. Traditional forms like ballads and satire were revived
Katharine Hepburn became queen of pop culture in 1940 with The Philadelphia Story. Barbara Stanwyck earned Oscar nomination for Ball of Fire in 1941. Ingrid Bergman starred in Casablanca, becoming iconic in 1942. Lena Horne's "Stormy Weather" topped Billboard charts in 1943
First steam-powered vehicle built by Ferdinand Verbiest in 1672. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot created first human-transportable steam car in 1769. Samuel Brown tested first industrially applied internal combustion engine in 1826
Century began January 1901 and ended December 2000. World War I (1914-1918) ended with Triple Entente victory over Central Powers. World War II (1939-1945) resulted in atomic bombings on Japan. Cold War (1947-1991) saw US and USSR compete for global power. European Union formed with 15 countries by century's end