National Geographic
National Geographic: American Genius: Perseverance
Students investigate the importance of failure to the process of innovation by investigating several items that were invented by accident. They share one "failure to success" story by creating a 3-panel comic strip poster, and then write...
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees
The National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) recognizes the enduring legacies of exceptional U.S. patent holders. Inventors not only create new inventions, but they can create new industries that employ millions of people. Their...
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame: Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of the National Inventors Hall of Fame to learn about America's rich history of invention and innovation. Here you will find the museum's online exhibits and information about America's many inventors and the products...
Other
Explain That Stuff: Inventors and Inventions
Inventing isn't just about coming up with a great idea; that's the easy part! There's also the matter of turning an idea into a product that sells enough to recoup the cost of putting it on the market. And there's the ever-present...
A&E Television
History.com: Inventions & Science
Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and inventor who pioneered the technology that would one day form the basis for today's WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: 3 M Young Scientist Lab: Innovation Exploration
Advance your way through everyday life by exploring the science all around you. Click on an innovation within each scene and answer each question to proceed to the next.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: 3 M Young Scientist Lab: Travel Through Time
Travel through the decades to learn about the innovations that shape your life. Use the Decade Navigator below to start exploring. Transport yourself through the last 100 years to meet the innovations that have shaped our world.
Library of Congress
Loc: Everyday Mysteries: Who "Invented" the Tv Dinner?
Ever wonder who "invented" the TV dinner? This article provides a discussion of the people and companies involved in the creation of complete frozen meals starting in the 1940s and ending in 1954 when Swanson's frozen meals appeared and...
Science Museum of Minnesota
Science Museum of Minnesota: Students as Designers
This site provides eight projects to use in an elementary classroom to encourage students to become inventors/designers. Invention, prototyping, materials exploration, creative writing, problem-solving, and group presentations are...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Earlier Than We Think
This podcast explains how Vannevar Bush, once a computing pioneer, had become America's leading science advisor.
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Young Inventors: Chester Greenwood [Pdf]
This magazine article explains how Chester Greenwood invented ear warmers when he was 15 years old.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Martha Speaks: t.d. Reports: Chewing Gum
Take a walk through history with this kid-friendly, multimedia research report on the inventors of chewing gum.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: A History of Wonderful Inventions by Henry G. Bohn
This is an online photocopy of the original text of the children's book A History of Wonderful Inventions by Henry G. Bohn(1861), a history of inventors and inventions such as the compass, gunpowder, clocks, printing, and more.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Super Glue Was Invented: Moments of Vision 8
Today, super glue is a nearly indispensable household item - but its incredibly sticky nature almost caused it to be abandoned in the development phase - twice. Jessica Oreck shares the wartime origins of this sticky substance. [1:53]
PBS
Pbs Kids: Martha Speaks: Super Inventions
In this interactive story, learn how animal abilities have inspired inventions over the years.
PBS
Pbs Kids: How to Be an Inventor
Part of the Real Stories series from "Martha Speaks," this read-along story teaches young children how easy it is to be an inventor.
Other
Up to Ten: The History of Inventions
Place the inventions on the interactive timeline in chronological order to advance to the next level.
Other
Brockton Historical Society: Thomas Alva Edison
Site devoted completely to the achievements of Thomas Edison. Includes a detailed biography, inventions, photo gallery, and quotes.
Other
Smith College: Museum of Ancient Inventions
Look at these ancient inventions. Compare these inventions with ones we use today to see if you can find any similarities. Take a tour of the museum or click each invention to find out more info.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Robert Moog
Robert Moog fused his love music and electronics when he invented the synthesizer. This website includes background information on the creation of the synthesizer and provides several links.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: True Colors Dyeing Yarn
An interesting history and exploration of the technology and invention of dyes and dyeing from earliest times to present and the effects of new colors in yarns on the economy. This is a complete unit of lessons with activities and...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: Special Feature: Forgotten Inventors
This fascinating site from PBS features seven inventions from the 19th and 20th centuries, along with information about the men and women who created them. Click on one of the small photos to learn more, or scroll down through the...