On This Day - January 17, 2026

Celebrations and notable events that occurred on January 17, 2026.

2026
National Days on January 17, 2026

Historical Events on January 17

Events that occurred on January 17 throughout history

1871

Inventor Andrew S. Hallidie received the first U.S. patent for the cable car. His invention described in U.S. patent No.110,971 consisted of a series of pulleys and cables designed to transport a bucket or car along a track. In 1873, Hallidie oversaw the installation of the first cable car in San Francisco, California at Clay Street.

1928

The U.S. Patent Office issued patent No. 1656,522 for an automatic photo-developing machine to Anatol M. Josepho. He called it a Photomaton, and today it's called a photo booth.

1929

Popeye the Sailor Man appears for the first time in the Thimble Theatre comic strip. The artist, E.C. Segar created the strip and the spinach-loving character.

1955

The USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, departed on its first voyage under the leadership of Commander Eugene P. Wilkinson. January 17th Celebrated Birthdays