1908
Jim Rasenberger , writer ofAmerica , 1908wrote a fascinating patch for the January , 2008 issue ofSmithsonian Magazine . As Rasenberger contends , in 1908 it seemed that anything was possible . An excerpt appear below . The representative of a serviceman with wireless telephone is from Harper ’s Weekly . The year 1908 began at midnight when a 700 - pound “ electric ball ” fall from the flagpole atop the New York Times building – the first - ever globe - drop in Times Square ....