THE POWER of science is all around us. Science directly impacts how we all travel, are entertained, communicate with one another or prepare dinner. Scientific innovations have transformed our community. It has brought us new forms of energy, delivered water from the mountains to our facets, improved our public safety and revolutionized our national defense. Aurora's history is tied to the history of science and technology. This exhibit will explore 20th century technologies housed in our museum collection, as well as, feature the industries in our community at the cutting-edge of new and exciting sciences.
A lot has changed in Aurora since it was incorporated as the town of Fletcher in 1891. Included among those changes is transportation technology. Planes, trains and automobiles have replaced the horse drawn roots of Aurora's past.
When did you first use a computer?
The drastic changes in technology can be explored via many different mediums. The historical changes in computer technology is but one of many science-driven topics explored in this exhibit.
pURING the period i n w h ich the Fron t r a il road had reached Denv er. Streets in Range was being settled b y new th e budd in g t own s we re not yet l it w ith American ho mes t eade r s and mi n ers, electricity, yet t he new Colo r ado th e cou ntry was becom i ng i ncreasi ng ly settlements were n ot th e Wild Wes t dependen t u pon an i ndustrialized common ly i mag i ned by 2 1st ce n t u ry world. In 1861, o n ly te n years alter the Americans . The rugged ind ivid u a l ist firs t perma nen t non -ind igenous who v entu red west seeki n g new peoples' settle men t was esta bl ished in opportun iti es we re met w ith an Colo r ado, th e first mi n in g mach inery advanci n g soci ety steeped i n scienti fic was awa rded a patent a nd i nnova t ion s. Ra il roads and te l egrap h s ma nu factured. Onl y a few years la t er a ll owed western sett lers t o s ta y th e te legrap h connected the Front connected t o th e modern hallma r ks of Range t o the east, and by 1870 t he th e i ndust ria lized 19th cen tu r y.
Mechanized f armi ng eq uipm en t , such as this steam -powe red th r esher, a llowed homesteade rs of t he Grea t Plai ns a nd Fron t Range to work m ore land and produce more crop ,
Photo courtesy ol H. Arnold Barton, "A Folk Divided: Homeland Swedes and Swedish Americans, 1840-1940"
THE Fl RST cen tu r y o f Au r ora's h istory federally funded hig h way systems an d i s ri ddled wi th maj or ch a n ges i n av ia tio n imp ro vemen ts-Ame rica n sc ien ce and t echnology. More so, producers cou ld d r i ve i nnova ti o n and tech ni ca l i nve nti ons an d mechanica l flood t h e world market w it h n ew product ion transf onmed dai ly li fe for products fo r consu mp ti on Elect rified all America ns. By 1927, more t han 15 app lia nces, t e le vis io n broa dcasts, million Ford Mode l T automobi les h ad motoriz ed ch ild ren 's t oys a nd mode rn been produced an d personal v ehicles vehicles defi ned st at us i n a co nsumer beca me more common. Prio r t o World based subu rb a n culture Th is era War II, t he a verage ci tizen's li fe was ushe red i n m ode rn medicine practices, im proved v ia electricity, routi ne commercia l a v ia t i on, comp l ex power dis in fection of commu ni ty d ri nki n g grids a nd a period where rockets lifted water, public transportation net works h umans i nto space. It was durin g th is throug ho ut t he Denver metro and ti me i n w hich Au rora g rew as a subu r b i nc re ased accessibi l ity to health and a time i n wh ich scien ti fic se r v ices . Follow i ng t he wa r, t he U. S. d iscove ri es d r astically a l tered the l ives beca me a n econom i c j uggern aut of its ci tizen s. Fueled by automa ti on t echn o logies,
It was d u rin g th is era th at Colfax Ave nu e beca me U S Route 40 thanks to th e establ i sh ment o f t he United S tates Nu mbered H ig hway System. The new i nfl ux of people d riv i ng from coast- to-coast, b ro ug ht prosperity to Au rora ,
Toda y, modern comme rc ia l a viati on can safe ly b ·anspo rt peopl e a round t he world , Duri ng the f i rst 5-0 y ea rs of Aurora hi sto 1y, the av iati on i ndustry grew a nd became i ncrea si ngl y a ccessi ble to the publ ic. Th is photo is of Sta p leton Int e rn atio nal Airpo 1 t circa 1930
IN 1879, the Northern Colorado Irrigation Company developed the High Line Canal to divert water from the South Platte River and send it to areas south and east of Denver. Primarily made up of British and Scottish investors, the company purchased right-of-way land from the railroad to sell as farm land. It also purchased water rights on the South Platte River and constructed 71 miles of flumes and ditches between 1879 and 1883. The High Line Canal provided water solely for irrigation, it did not supply homes or businesses with drinkable water. Many farmers, such as those settled in present day Auro r a, worked to provide food to the growing population of the region and found this new water source to be invaluable. The Highline Canal currently stretches 66 miles from Waterton Canyon to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal near Aurora. Its name derives from the high contours of the land, gradually declining in elevation . Today, the flowing water in the canal is owned by Denver Water and is popularly used for recreation such as hiking and biking.
The water brought east along the Highline Canal allowed farmers to grow more crops and sustain a living which would have otherwise been unattainable .
These young Aurorans pose for a picture at the trailhead along the Highline Canal. Do you ever go biking along the trail?
IN 1949, tthe city of Aurora established its own water department to operate the system within the city limits. Since then, the department has worked to establish and improve the infrastructure of the overall water system. The department changed its name to Aurora Water in 2006. WHEN most people think of Aurora Water, they may only consider the drinkable water coming from their faucets. The drinking water system consists of three treatment facilities, 1,500
miles of pipe, 12,500 fire hydrants, 12 pump stations and 10 water storage tanks. There is a lot more to the operation than just drinking water. The organization oversees an extensive raw water collections system which includes 134 miles of raw water mains, six pump stations, three tanks and 12 storage reservoirs (raw water is water that is found in the natural environment). Aurora Water also maintains a robust wastewater system which includes over 1,000 miles of sewer pipe with connections to more than 80,000 homes and businesses. The storm drain system also deserves attention with almost 700 miles of pipe, three storm water pump stations, 58 miles of open channels and 159 city-owned ponds. This extensive network is run by a work force of more than 400 employees and covers 151 square miles of the state. Here Aurora Water employees service ultra-violate, or UV, coils at the Peter D.
Members of the public signing a pipeline in celebration of the completion of the Prairie Waters Project. Photo courtesy of Aurora Water
Binney Water Purification Faci Iity.
IMAGINE an airport. What are the fi rs t things that come to mind? A bustling terminal, information displays, long security lines, baggage claim conveyors, arriving aircraft waiting to be fueled and catered for imminent departure. The science and technology behind all these systems are multifaceted. Airports rely on complex operations that work as a cohesive whole to function effectively. Computerized technology has enabled global aviation networks to be in constant coordination with one another. Improvements in aircraft technology ensure safer travel for pilots and passengers. Digital scanning tools make sure your bag is delivered to the right aircraft. Up-to-date screens convey flight information to thousands of patrons every day. These are just a few examples of technologies integral to a thriving airport. Throughout the years, these operating systems have continued to evolve and improve to meet the needs of the airlines, airport and passengers. As this industry grows and technology improves further, what will the airports of the future hold for the air travelers of tomorrow?
THE DENVER Municipal Airport, located on the northern border with Aurora, opened in 1929 as the brainchild of Denver Mayor Benjamin Stapleton. Influenced by the Aurora-based Buckley and Lowry military bases, aviation expanded in the eastern metro during the 1930s and 1940s. To accommodate developing technologies and longer runways, the airport (renamed Stapleton Airfield in 1944 and then Stapleton International Airport in 1964), underwent a series of expansions into nearby Rocky Mountain Arsenal throughout the 1950s and 1960s. At its height, the airport brought aviation industry employers and manufactures to Aurora such as the Stanley Aviation plant adjacent to Stapleton Airfield in 1954. In addition to jobs, the mere proximity to the major airport boosted Aurora's economy and visitation. As the Denver metro solidified its role as an aviation "hub," SIA struggled to meet projected demands. Plans were proposed for an airport northeast of Aurora, which culminated in the construction of the Denver International Airport in the mid-1990s.
During the height of Stapleton International Airport's operations, several bridges were built over Interstate 70. These bridges were taxiways and runways for air craft landing and departing from the airport.
A 1980s view of SIA from the prospective of Aurorans looking northwest . Today, the control tower is still present in the Denver suburb of Stapleton.
THE DENVER International Airport (DEN, formally known as DIA) was constructed at a cost of $4.8 billion and opened on February 28, 1995. The airport was built northeast of Aurora, and is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver Department of Aviation. The 52.4 square miles of land owned by DEN, is according to the coo Chris McLaughlin, "the most land of any commercial airport in North America." More than 35,000 people work at the airport, upwards of 70 million passengers come through DEN each year and the facility contributes an estimated $33.5 billion to the regional economy.
THE AIRPORT manages multiple complex systems which bring passengers from Pena Boulevard directly to their departing gate at the terminal. coo McLaughlin explained, "We are trying to create a seamless network which allows our guests to successfully navigate to the airport, separate them from their baggage, verify identities and flight itineraries, transport them on a high-speed train to their assigned gate, board the aircraft without incident and ensure their baggage is loaded onto the proper departing aircraft." Each of these systems require coordination dependent upon computerized technology and trained professionals.
THE PROXIMITY of DEN to Aurora has brought jobs, tax revenue and commercial industry to the city. In addition, Aurora is home to a large portion of the airports workforce. DEN offers flights throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. As stated by COO McLaughlin, "We [the airport] have brought the world to Aurora, and brought Aurora closer to the World."
DEN coordinates w ith 23 independent airlines to allow 1,600 airplanes to la nd and take off per day.
Photo courtesy of the Denver International Airport
Recently, DEN has incorporated the FAA's next generation radar system. Pilots and air traffic controllers utilize technology advanced system to improve serves and safety.
Photo courtesy of the Denver International Airport
THE ESTABLISHMENT of the United States Numbered Highway System in 1926 created U.S. Route 40 that ran across the country between Atlantic City, N .J. and San Francisco. It crossed through the Denver metro area along Colfax Avenue. In the 1940s and 1950s automobile accessibility increased exponentially and cars became more affordable for most families. Improving road conditions, and the interest in exploring the West, led to an even higher demand for roadside accommodations along East Colfax Avenue. Aurora was the first city encountered upon arriving to the Front Range along U.S. 40. This created a unique opportunity for local merchants who profited by catering to motorists.
AUTOMOTIVE technology directly shaped Aurora's community. Colfax became more than a road for these machines to traverse. Thanks to this car culture; motels, restaurants, drive-ins and entertainment venues brought big-city life to Aurora near East Colfax Avenue. At its height, this thoroughfare was the life-blood of the community. Through the intersection of an innovative transportation technology and the economic enterprises that supported car culture - East Colfax and Aurora were transformed.
This photograph, at East Colfax Avenue and Florence Street, demonstrates the diversity of businesses along U.S. 40. Here we see shops such as a sporting goods store, multiple filling stations and motels, carpet retailers and a theater. East Colfax Avenue, thanks to the technology of the automobile, was the thriving main street of Aurora.
THE REGIONAL Transportation District (RTD) was organized in 1969 and is governed by a 15-member, publicly elected Board of Directors. The transit system has grown over the years, and today it serves 40 municipalities in 6 counties along the Front Range . Much like its predecessor, the trolleys of the early 20th century, RTD connects communities via transportation technology. The rail and bus network has transformed the city's landscape and connects major centers of employment, commerce and entertainment. One of RTD's most recent projects included installing a rail line through the city of Aurora, known as the R Line (or sometimes referred to as the "Aurora Line"). The line opened in early 2017 and connects major activity centers like the Aurora City Center, Anschutz Medical Campus and Denver International Airport through a transfer to the University of Colorado A Line. Both the A Line and H Line service Aurorans with commuter and light rail stations. In addition to rail, RTD has numerous bus routes that connect Aurora to the rest of the metro. This complex network depends on integrated technologies to make the system operate effectively. From the engineering of cars and tracks to the communication and traffic control mechanisms - RTD utilizes a variety of transportation technologies to provide service to Aurora's growing population.
An early form of transportation in the Denver area was the jitney bus. These automobiles operated very similar to today's cabs or Ubers. You paid a small fee (a jitney) and the bus took you to where you needed to go.
Stops along the RTD's R Line are strategically placed for the convenience of the passenger. Such as the Aurora Metro Center station near the City Center at Aurora Mall and the Aurora Municipal Complex.
Photo courtesy of Jeffery Beall I
THE COLORADO Air and Space Port is in unincorporated Adams County, adjacent to Aurora and three miles southeast of the Denver International Airport. Formerly known as the Front Range Airport, this facility is poised to usher in a new era of public and private air travel. The Colorado Air and Space Port operated as a general aviation port for 30 years prior to becoming a space port in 2018. Although space flights from the facility are a few years out, the air and space port is developing infrastructure which will support horizontal launch systems into lower Earth orbit. The facility sees operators conducting high altitude point-to-point travel around the globe, as well as, being the hub for private and public trips to space.
THE DIRECTOR of the Colorado Air and Space Port, Dave E. Ruppel, described Colorado as an "Aerospace state, with a robust private and public investment in air travel." He sees the air and space port as part of that larger "aerospace ecosystem" of Colorado. Another reason the space port is set to be a success, argued Ruppel, is its geographical position in the middle of the country. Further, Ruppel jokes that due to Colorado's elevation , "the first mile is free."
An aerial view of the Colorado Air and Space Port in 2018 that shows tremendous room for expansion.
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Air and Space Port An artistic interpretation of the potential design of the space port's future terminal. Photo courtesy of the Colorado Air and Space Port•
INSPIRED by the recent flight of the Wright Brothers, teenagers Frank and Jules "J. J." VanDersarl built a glider in 1905 and flew over Aurora. A few years later, they bought the plans for a French Bleriot plane and had the instructions translated into English. Parts were not available in Colorado so the brothers built all the pieces by hand and then assembled them, including the propeller and the entire four-cylinder engine.
THEY finished construction of the plane in 1911 and transported it by horse-drawn wagon to a field near Sable Boulevard, north of Colfax Avenue. Jules flew the plane first but crashed upon landing. The brothers made repairs and then Frank has a successful flight without incident.
• • Pictured here is Frank VanDersarl. In the 1960s Frank tried to restore the Bleriot, but he died before completing the project. A~er Jules VanDersarl died in November 1977, the monoplane was exhibited at the Museum of New Mexico. In 1994 it was bought and loaned to Dowling College in Bayport, N. Y. There it was further restored by the Bayport Aerodrome Society. Then in 2009 C.C. Air Corporation purchased it and added it to The Aeroplane Collection in Paso Robles, Calif., with the goal of making it airworthy once again.
IN NOVEMBER of 1917, the government selected the A.H. Gutheil Nursery site in Aurora for an Army hospital. Construction for the U.S . Army General Hospital No . 21 (later renamed Fitzsimons) began in May 1918. Fitzsimons became the largest active military hospital in the world.
INITIAL built to treat World War I patients suffering from tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases, Fitzsimons General Hospital became the Army's only hospital focusing on tuberculosis treatments. Just four days after the dedication of the new main building, the attack on Pearl Harbor propelled the U.S. into World War II. As the largest and one of the most modern military hospitals in the country, Fitzsimons played a key role in treating soldiers during the war. In the 1950s, as tuberculosis became less common, the hospital shifted its focus to lung and chest related diseases and injuries. The Army hospital played a key role during the Korean War and the Vietnam War treating wounded soldiers.
THE DEPARTMENT fof Defense deactivated Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in 1999. At the time of the closure it was one of Aurora's largest employers, with nearly 3,000 workers. During its height, the Army facility made tremendous advancements in medical science and provided Aurora with the infrastructure needed to later attract major medical institutions like the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and its schools and colleges.
The establishment of the Army hospital spurred neighborhood growth along, and south of, East Colfax Avenue. The facility was a major employer and brought thousands of people to Aurora. This growth can be seen in comparing these two aerial shots from the 1930s and 1950s.
BEFORE Fitzsimons Hospital was built in Aurora, a private tuberculosis sanatorium was well established nearby at 6th Avenue and Quebec Street in 1902. The facility treated tuberculosis patients until 1932 when it no longer had the resources to keep up with the latest medical advances.
THE U.S. Army Air Corps needed a new base in the late 1930s to train soldiers in the field of aerial photography. The land was sold and the site became an Army Air Corps Technical Training School. The Army designated the new school as Lowry Army Air Field to honor Denver native Francis Lowry, the first local casualty of World War I. In 1937, Lowry Army Air Field opened with 850 men, and by 1941, 8,500 soldiers were stationed at the base, with a massive influx of troops arriving at the onset of World War II.
FOR 57 YEARS, fthe base served as an Air Force training facility. Early on, training focused on aerial photography. In 1955, the United States Air Force Academy was also established at Lowry. It would remain in the area until 1958, while the permanent location was being built in Colorado Springs. As air and space technology became more sophisticated in the 1950s, missile specialists began training at Lowry. The first operational Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile was housed at Lowry in 1962. Aerial operations continued until 1966. The base eventually fully closed in September 1994.
THE VAST array of scientific research, training and development that took place at Lowry is a testament to the importance Aurora played in the greater history of technological advancement in the United States.
Originally the airfield was well east of Denver proper, yet as the Front Range community grew, suburban development surrounded the Air Force Base.
Before the establishment of Lowry, the Agnes Phipps Memorial Sanatorium occupied the site. The facility treated tuberculosis patients until 1932.
BUCKLEY Air Force Base has established itself as one of the most prominent economic and physical landmarks in the history of Aurora. In its infancy, it was a bombing range for Lowry Army Air Field until 1941 when it became its own instillation.
FOLLOWING World War II, in September 1945, Buckley reverted to an auxiliary air field for Lowry and was nearly closed by the War Department in 1946. The migration of the Colorado Air National Guard from its former headquarters near Stapleton Airport in Denver to Buckley, granted the base a reprieve. The Navy took jurisdiction over the base in 1947, renaming it Naval Air Station-Denver.
DURING the Navy's management of the base, the beginnings of Buckley's place in the air and space defense network were established in 1957, with the construction of a 27,000-watt radar intercept station.
IN 1960, the base was again exchanged within the Department of Defense and it became the Buckley Air National Guard Base until 2000 During this period Buckley was chosen to host a new, classified communications facility that came to be known as the Aerospace Data Facility. The construction of this complex included what is today one of Aurora's most iconic landmarks, the satellite radomes known colloquially as "the big golf balls."
TODAY, Buckley A i r Force Base houses service members from all five branches of the military. It is also home to the Aerospace Defense Facility and Air Reserve Personnel Center Its current role is to provide the nation with strategic missile warning defense and serves as a home for the Colorado Air National Guard.
Today, Buckley Air Force Base is the largest public employer in Aurora. More than 12,000 employees work at the instillation.
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Air National Guard
WHEN the t own of Fl etcher was
DUE TO its prox i m ity t o Denver, Au rora fou nded i n 189 1, wha t w e k no w as ph armacies needed t o attract and keep modern med icine was d rastically local business. The earliest ph armacies d i f fe rent. It was an under reg u la t ed h ad doctors with offices i n the same pra ctice w h ich fea tured products th at bui ld in g, ma k i ng it conven ient for both blu rred the li nes betw een docto r s and thei r p atients. In th e \'ph armaceut ica ls" and \'chemica ls." 1930s, the Au ro r a Democra t Pharma ci es looked d i fferent back th en, encou ra ged rea de r s to shop locally a t w ith the firs t pha rm acists serv i ng as Auro ra Drug and Han cock Ph armacy, community med ica l counselors prom i sing t hem h ig h q ual ity prod ucts prescri bing and mak ing med ications th at were cheaper th an those i n The role o f pha r macies changed Denver. d rastically afte r the passa ge of the AFTER World Wa r II, more pharma ci es Durham- Humph rey Amend men t to th e opened i n Au ro r a, res u lti ng in Federa l Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of competition not only fro m Denve r, but 1938 . This required pharmaci sts to from other a re a d rugst ores To fu rther h ave a prescri ption from a doctor t o ca t er t o cust ome r s and attract tho se i n d ispen se all med ica tions except tho se East Denver, many offered free de liv ery cons idered ove r t he coun t e r. In s t ead, on prescr ipt ion s. Up unti l the la t e la rger compan ies manufactured dru gs. 1960s and 1970s, most of A u rora's Cha in stores, i nc lud i n g Re xall's and ph armacies were locally owned and Wa lg reens, began to dominate the opera t ed with few pharmacies being ma r ket. In add ition t o d ispensing associated w ith la rger chains. med ica tion s, dru gstores trad iti ona lly so ld other goods t o cust omers such as cosme ti cs and persona l care p rodu cts. Pharmacies a lso prov ided services such as film d ev elopment and even operated soda foun ta in s .
Hancock Pha rma cy, on the no1theast comer of East Col fa x Aven ue a nd Dayton Street, sported the first neon si gn i n Au rora , The n eo n read "Drugs •
MANY i nj ured so ldiers comi n g back
THE H OSPITAL ga i ned specia li zed i n the from World Wa r I suffered from field o f r esp i ratory ill nesses, especially tubercu los is a n d oth e r r esp irato r y tubercu los is. Fitzs imons became th e diseases con tracted from the damp and la r gest t u be r cu losis h osp ita l i n Ame rica co ld l ife i n th e t r enches of Eu r ope. a n d th e l argest active m il ita r y hosp ital Med ica l experts at t h e ti me ag r eed t h at i n the world . Th r oug h o u t both world the low h um id ity, sun n y days a n d wars, th e Ko r ean War a n d the V ie tn am moderate seasons o f Colo r ado War Fitzs imons served inj u r ed and s ick promoted hea l in g . U.S. se r vice membe r s.
IN N OVEM BER o f 19 1 7, th e governmen t THE ARMY deacti va t ed Fitzsimons A r my se lect ed th e A .H Gu th e il Nu rsery i n Med ica l Cent er i n 1999, th e Anschu tz
Au ro r a for the s ite of a fu tu r e h osp ital. Med ica l camp u s now sits o n t he former Con struct io n f o r th e U.S Army Ge n e r a l site and ma in ta i ns a wo rl d-renown ed Hosp ita l No 21 (la t er renamed repu t at io n f o r cu tti ng-edge med ica l Fitzs i mons Ge n e r a l Hosp ita l ) b egan i n tech n o logy a n d r esearch. May 19 18. Five mo n t h s la t e r, offic ia ls held a dedication ce r emony. Th e first pati en t - Priva t e Cl ai r Marti n - arri ved four days la t er, even bef o r e co n st ruction was comp le t ed.
The base offered a l oca l nu r si ng trai ni ng program a nd a s a r esult, many women i n t h e area en t e r ed the Army Nurse Corps.
Although the hospita l t i-e a t ed pati ents th roug hout bot h World Wars, Korea a nd Viet nam, the hosp ital may be be st known fo r the se ven-week treatment of Pr esident Dwig ht Ei sen hower after a heart atta ck i n 1955 . Which le d Fitzsi mons to become a l ea der i n t he fiel d of ca rd iol ogy
BY THE l ate 1950s, both loca l doctors
tests and more effecti ve therap ies. and residents recog n i zed th e need fo r Advancements i n b io medica l a hospi t a l in Aurora While many of the engineering enabled doctors to conduct m il itary fami l ies cou ld uti l ize th e non -in vas ive i mag in g techn iq ues w ith se r v ices a t Fitzs i mons Anmy Hosp it a l, tech nologies like u ltrasound (sonar) other ci ti zens had to trave l i nto Denv er and compu terized a x ia l tomog r aphy fo r specia lty and emergency serv ices. (CAT). Commun ity organ ize rs and local
DURING this era, rapid progress in the med ica l p rofess ion a ls r a ised fu n ds fo r medical sciences d rastica lly i mproved two new facili ties, the Auro r a the qua lity o f li f e for Americans
Commun ity Hospi tal loca t ed o f f
Standardized med icine, regula t ion and Mi ssi ssi pp i Avenue and I-225 and the improvements i n commun ication Auro r a Presbyterian Ho sp it al a t bet ween scientists y ield ed a ne ver Pot omac Stree t and 6th Avenue Both b efore seen, technolog ically ad vanced, hosp itals were operational by 1975. hea lth ca re system. Th e i mprovements MIDWAY through the 20th centu r y, i n the med ica l profession were on fu ll i nsigh ts deri v ed from ce ll biology d isp lay to the Au rorans who v i sit ed alte red basic concepts o f t he disease their new hospit a ls i n t he la te 1970s. process . New discov eries i n biochem istry and physiology opened the way for mo re precise d ia gnos ti c
X-ray technol ogy (the abil ity to photograph the interior structu re of peopl e via rad iati on imag ing) was first d iscover-ed in 1895. I n the la st 125 yea rs special ists have improved x-ray's sa fety an d efficien cy, He.-e a pati ent i s prepa ring to be x- ra yed at Aurora's Pl esbyterian Hospital in the l 970s. Ha ve you seen the x-ray mach ine in the Growing H ome exh ibit?
Less th an 100 years ago, a prem abJre baby had li ttle hope of survi v al, It was during the 20th century when new spe ci a l ties such as neonato logy, pediatric nurses and respirato 1y therap ists emerged in the medi ca l profess ion , H ere bab ies a t Au ro ra 's Presbyte rian H ospita l ar-e cared fo r in the 1980s.
