Revolutions: Technology, Then and Now

Hand-Me-Downs and World Firsts

In the beginning, Pizza Hut’s technology consisted of hand-me-downs and secondhand stuff. The dough was mixed in a baby’s bathtub. The cash register was so old it only rang up $1 increments. The oven had horrible hot spots. Since then, Pizza Hut has innovated in its kitchens and points-of-purchase to meet growing and diverse customer expectations. From creating new ovens to handle different kinds of pizza to pushing the limits of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, Pizza Hut has consistently been at the forefront of exploring what technology can accomplish. Here are some recent technological milestones:

Images:

ABOVE: Original Pizza Hut iPhone app. The first Pizza Hut iPhone app, which was first available on the iPhone 3GS in 2009. The app utilized the iPhone’s touchscreen and gimbal technologies, allowing customers to stretch their crust sizes and shake sauce on their wings.

BELOW: The original PizzaNet website, accessed with a modern web browser. The first online transaction of any kind was completed via this website. The order? A pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms, and extra cheese. The original PizzaNet website still exists and can be visited today! Site accessed 12-06-2017.

Curated by WSU Students!

Be sure to return to the museum periodically to see rotating exhibits featuring the Dan and Gayla Carney Collection, curated by Wichita State University's own museum studies students!

Case contents: Antique National cash register, ca. 1890s. A register much like this was used at the original Pizza Hut. 2018.3.2 Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology.