Curated OER
Industrial Revolution: A Definition
America sure did have a few growing pains during the Industrial Revolution. Share the problems, causes, effects, and reformation that marked the turn of the century and shift in policy during US industrialization. This slide show...
Beacon Learning Center
Growth of a Revolution-The Industrial Revolution
How did changes of the agricultural revolution in eighteenth century Great Britain influence the Industrial Revolution that followed? How were inventions and processes of the Industrial Revolution interrelated? This resource includes a...
Curated OER
Where's the Energy
Students research energy conversions. In this energy lesson, students describe the basic operation of a steam engine. They explain the energy conversions in the steam engine's operation.
Science Museum, London
Science Museum: Energy Hall: The Story of Steam
A virtual exhibition on the history of steam power, with animated images of the first steam engines. Covers the history of coal mining and engine building by millwrights and engineers, and gives biographical information about early...
Science Museum, London
Science Museum Energy Hall: The Impact of the Steam Engine
This fascinating museum exhibit is on how the development of the steam engine has impacted the lives of many people over the last two hundred plus years.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Steam Machine
Explore NOVA Online's interactive steam engine and discover how this machine can convert heat to mechanical energy.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Wake Up, America!
This resource covers the changing of America due to the Industrial Revolution which brought in not only new technology but also opened the door to reform movements. From the series by Joy Hakim, "A History of Us." Includes a teacher's...
Other
Modern World History: The Industrial Revolution Begins in England (1760 1850)
In this textbook unit, students learn the reasons why the Industrial Revolution took root in England first, and the innovations that made this possible. These included textile inventions such as the flying shuttle and the spinning jenny,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Energy Through Time
The quest for energy has always been a balancing act. As humans have gained greater control over their environment, they've found abundant resources - and faced numerous challenges. This article traces the history of our quest for energy.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Steam Engine: Transportation 19th Century
This collection uses primary sources to explore the steam engine and transportation in the nineteenth century.
Library of Congress
Loc: What in the World Is That?
Can you match the picture to the correct invention? Read about these inventions and the importance of them. Also included are related sites to find further information about each invention.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: History of the Steam Engine
From the Engines of Ingenuity web site. A lengthy page discussing ingenuity and invention as it pertains to steam engine history. Very anecdotal and interesting. Includes biographical information and interesting details about Hero of...
University of Waterloo (Canada)
University of Waterloo: Rudolf Julius Emanuel Clausius
Lists the most important publications of Rudolf Clausius. Provides some biographical details. Part of a set of History of Thermodynamics course notes.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Oliver Evans
A versatile Revolutionary-era inventor looked for ways to improve and automate industry, and created an engine that would power hundreds of new businesses in the young nation.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: John Fitch
An unsung jack-of-all-trades built America's first steam-powered boat, envisioning open access to the new nation's natural resources.
Other
Rob's North York Moors Railway: The Steam Locomotive
A page describing the parts of a steam engine and explaining their operation. Thorough discussion of the parts.
Other
Clemson University: British Industrial Revolution
Lecture notes for a class on the Industrial Revolution provide an overview of the transition of the British economy from a predominantly agricultural one to an industrial society.
Other
The Industrial Revolution: Changes in Society
A guided website which covers the major aspects of the Industrial Revolution from about 1750 until 1830. Areas such as industry, agriculture are explored.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Steam Condensing Engine 1769
Few inventions have affected human history as much as the steam engine. Without it, there would have been no locomotives, no steamers and no Industrial Revolution.
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: Thomas Newcomen
Find out about the life and work of the inventor who created the first practical steam engine for pumping water in 1712, the Newcomen steam engine.
Read Works
Read Works: Steamboats and Railroads
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about transportation changes. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Hero(n) of Alexandria
Describes the life of Hero of Alexandria and discusses Hero's contribution to the development of the steam engine. Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated radio broadcast on invention and ingenuity.