Today in Tech History: June 20, 2008 Video

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Today in Tech History: June 20, 2008
Created: 06/18/2008
Video description: How technology made 'Jaws' even more terrifying.

Today in Tech History: June 20, 2008 Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Molly Wood. It's June 20, 2008, and here's what happened today in technology history. On this date in 1819 , the SS Savannah, a U.S. vessel, became the first steam-propelled ship to cross the Atlantic when she landed at Liverpool, United Kingdom. Despite the awesome technological advance of the steam power, the Savannah made most of the journey under sail. Baby steps. Today in 1877, Alexander Graham Bell installed the world's first commercial telephone service in Canada. And on this date in 1975, the movie "Jaws" was released in theaters. The role of "Jaws" was played by three mechanical sharks, collectively named Bruce. But the sharks frequently malfunctioned - - one even sank like a stone the first time it hit the water. But here's the thing! The sharks were SO bad that most of the time, Steven Spielberg ended up just ALLUDING to the terrifying shark, instead of showing it. And THAT was even scarier! Thus, the movie went on to permanently scar a generation of viewers, who are now terrified of almost all forms of water. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway, that's enough terrifying trivia for one day. More tech history coming at you tomorrow.

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