PBS
Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light
This site explores the various challenges Edison faced upon attempting to produce electric power. It contains a historical essay, a complete list of Edison's patents, information on the AC and DC currents, recordings produced by the...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Alexander Graham Bell
An interesting description of the career of the man who invented the telephone. Learn more of his adventurous life as you read. (In Spanish)
Florida State University
Florida State University: Science, Optics & You: Galileo Galilei
Biography of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), one of the most famous scientists and inventors of all time. He is best remembered for his invention of the telescope, which caused him to question the contemporary belief that the Earth was the...
Other
Federal Highway Administration: Garrett A. Morgan Program
This site from the Federal Highway Administration provides a detailed biography of Garret A. Morgan (1877-1963 CE), as well as focusing on two of his most important inventions: the three-position traffic signal and the safety hood....
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Iconoscope 1923
American inventor Vladimir Zworykin, the "father of television," conceived two components key to that invention: the iconoscope and the kinescope.
Read Works
Read Works: Benjamin Franklin: The Ultimate Solution Creator
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Benjamin Franklin and some of his inventions. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Selected Essays on Barbed Wire: Brief History of Barbed Wire
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,...
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Industrial Revolution: Causes
An overview of historians' views of the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and of the inventions, inventors, and industries that propelled it.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Michael Faraday (1791 1867)
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.
Digital History
Digital History: Resistance to Technological Innovation
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.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Thomas Edison
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.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: James Watt
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...
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Stephanie Kwolek
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.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Granville T. Woods
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.
Read Works
Read Works: Child's Play
[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.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Cyrus Mc Cormick
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.
Black Past
Black Past: Jan E. Matzeliger (1852 1887)
A brief encyclopedia entry about the life of inventory, Jan Matzeliger, whose invention revolutionized the shoe-making industry.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Frank Hornby
Learn how Frank Hornby managed to excel in toy invention based on engineering principles.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Invent Your Own Gelatin Dessert
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...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Libraries:industrial Drawings at the Smithsonian: Doodles & Drafts
Drawing is a key element in an inventor's skill set. When it comes to the working out of new ideas, inventors turn to pencil and paper. Mixing art and science, this exhibition site showcases a collection of industrial drawings that...
PBS
Outline of the History of the Transistor: Lee De Forest
Part of a larger site about the history of the transistor, this brief biography of Lee de Forest, the inventor of the audion, includes a QuickTime movie that shows how it worked.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Ernst Werner Von Siemens
Find out how Werner von Siemens became the pioneer of the electro industry and brought about a great technological advancement with many of his important discoveries.
PBS
Pbs: Technology at Home
Travel back in time to find out when everyday items such as a computer, radio, or telephone first appeared in homes. You can also connect to links about the people who invented these items.
PBS
Who Made America? Alexander Graham Bell
From a PBS series, They Made America, comes this biography of Alexander Graham Bell and his invention of the telephone. Read about his development of the telephone and research into the sound.
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