The Chicago Cubs, finally, are World Series champions.
With their dramatic Game 7 win over the Cleveland Indians early Thursday morning, the Cubs collected their first World Series title since 1908. At the time of that World Series, Teddy Roosevelt was president, Ford had just introduced the Model T, and a dozen eggs cost around 22 cents.
Meanwhile, these 18 items we can’t (to varying degrees) imagine living without hadn’t even been invented yet when the Cubs last won in 1908:
• Crossword puzzle (invented in 1913)
• Milk carton (1915)
• Pop-up toaster (1919)
• Band-Aid (1920)
• Four-way traffic light (1920)
• Television (1920s)
• Bubble gum (1928)
• Antibiotics/Penicillin (1928)
• Sliced bread (1928)
• Electric guitar (1931)
• Parking meter (1935)
• Shopping cart (1936)
• Chocolate chip (1937)
• Ballpoint pen (1938)
• Tupperware (1942)
• Microwave oven (1945)
• Kitty litter (1947)
• iPhone (2007)

















Volunteers at the St. Francis Inn pray together before serving a meal on July 19, 2021.
Police close down a section of Kensington Avenue to clear a homeless encampment on May 8, 2024.


Left: A robotic arm. Right: Rice grains.Photo credit:
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Christy Lam-Julian, a mother in Pinole, Calif., reads to her son in April 2025.
Children who read bedtime stories with their parents are likely to benefit from a boost in creativity – especially if they consider questions about the books.