Inventions and Inventors Teacher Resources

Provides information on the development and use of barbed wire. Includes biographies on Joseph F. Glidden, Jacob Haish, and Isaac L. Ellwood, who were instrumental in its invention and marketing. For more information on barbed wire,...

A profile of Michael Faraday, a British scientist who discovered electromagnetic induction, which made it possible to develop the technology for generating electricity. He produced many other inventions, some of which are described here.

Hinderances to technological advances included poor education and hostility to innovation and experimentation. See how this opposition was overcome by the many smalltime tinkerers and inventors who ignited people's interest in technology.

The "Wizard of Menlo Park" brought the world electric light, recorded music, and the movies, among other things, and turned innovation into a science by inventing the research laboratory.

The Scottish instrument maker and inventor James Watt had a tremendous impact on the shape of modern society. His improvements to the steam engine were a significant factor in the Industrial Revolution, and when the Watt engine was...

Learn about the life and work of Stephanie Kwolekbest, known for inventing the first of a family of synthetic fibers of exceptional strength and stiffness.

A biography of Granville T. Woods, who used his knowledge of machinery to establish his own company and invent many different improvements for the railroad.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text and interview with a girl named Kylie Copenhagen who invented a board game. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.

A Virginia farmer invented a mechanical reaper, then harvested profits in the Midwest's exploding grain belt, innovating credit, service, and sales practices that became essential parts of American big business.

A brief encyclopedia entry about the life of inventory, Jan Matzeliger, whose invention revolutionized the shoe-making industry.

Learn how Frank Hornby managed to excel in toy invention based on engineering principles.

Students learn about the history of Jello and create their own dessert. They analyze the success of their dessert afterwards and make suggestions on how to improve it. They are also invited to take a photo of their creation and email it...

Short descriptions of important technological innovations produced in America and the date of their introduction.

This site has an overview of the history of plastic.

Website for the PBS series "A Science Odyssey." Numerous opportunities to explore the people and discoveries of science.

Discover the science behind this common fixture in cars. Learn what it is and how how scientists came up with the idea.

Find out all you want to know about the revolutionary development of Bakelite, the first plastic created entirely from chemicals. Included is a biography of the inventor of Bakelite, Leo Baekeland.

A photograph of Edison and an interview of Edison by Theodore Dreiser that displays the inventor's convictions about progress in America.

The Franklin Institute looks at the invention of the Brownie camera, which helped put photography into the hands of amateurs and allowed the middle class to take their own snapshots as well in the early 20th century.

Let the power of imagination and inference serve as a "time machine" to bring Benjamin Franklin into the classroom! History and science come to life in a dialogue with Franklin the inventor, developed through lesson plan activities that...

Originally printed in the The Illustrated London News (July 1851), this article pays tribute to Louis Lacques Mande Daguerre and his discovery, the Daguerrotype. Learn about the styles and techniques employed in some of his famous...

Use this site to learn about radiocarbon dating and the scientist who discovered it, Willard Libby (1908-1980 CE).

This brief article on the life and contributions of George Westinghouse (1846-1914) includes a picture. Read about his air brake as well as his development of the alternating current system.

Biography of James Ritty, the inventor of the cash register.