OpenStax
Open Stax: A Vibrant Capitalist Republic
By reading this section of a chapter on "Industrial Transformation in the North," students will be able to explain the process of selling western land, discuss the causes of the Panic of 1819, and identify key American innovators and...
Other
National Council for the Social Studies: The Founding Entrepreneurs
Our nation was built on the ingenuity and drive of entrepreneurs. From colonial times until today, entrepreneurs have innovated and developed new products and services which resulted in our economy having the fastest development of all...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Cyrus Mc Cormick 1809 1884
Easy to read brief biography of the man who invented the mechanical reaper, Cyrus McCormick (1808-1884). View a timeline and see pictures of the reaper and other harvesting machines.
Patsy Stevens
Garden of Praise: Biographies for Kids: Cyrus Mc Cormick
Learn about the inventor of the mechanical reaper that revolutionized American and world agriculture in the 19th century.
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.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Cyrus Mc Cormick
This brief biography of Cyrus McCormick tells of how he changed the business of farming for the future. With additional links that include photographs, extra information, and graphs.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Inventors and Inventions
The industrial revolution in America spawned the inventions of many inventors, who improved technology in many different areas. See how transportation, agriculture, and communications were transformed because of these inventions.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Cyrus Mc Cormick
Called the "Father of Modern Agriculture," Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper, which turned the prairies of the Midwest into "the 'breadbasket' of the nation." This article, in addition to telling about the creation of the...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Nifa: Farm Machinery and Technology
A comprehensive timeline of the advancement of farming technology. Scroll through the 1800s-1840s to see the machinery introduced in this time period.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Cyrus Mc Cormick
Learn how Cyrus McCormick made a good reaper to harvest grain, then improved upon his work. He went West, visiting farmers and improving his machine, becoming one of the leaders in the farming industry. (In Spanish)
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Mc Cormick Reaper
Read interesting facts about Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the mechanical horse-drawn reaper 1n 1831.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Revolution in Agriculture
This site describes how even though industry was expanding in the U.S., agriculture still remained the most important occupational sector in the US. As the population grew, farmers in the U.S. had to find ways to meet the explosive...
University of Kentucky
Agripedia: Mc Cormick Reaper
This resource provides very brief information on the McCormick reaper and links to other Cyrus McCormick and McCormick reaper sites.