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Website
The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute: Edison's Lightbulb: History of Science and Technology

For Students 3rd - 8th
The Franklin Institute features a biography of Thomas Edison and a complete description of the light bulb as well as an experiment.
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Handout
Other

History of Telephone Sets: Graham Bell Invents the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
A short summary of how Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) came to invent the telephone.
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Handout
Other

Historic Speedwell: Alfred Vail

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biographical sketch of Alfred Vail, with images.
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Handout
Other

The Daguerreian Society: l.j.m. Daguerre

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Edmund Cartwright

For Students 9th - 10th
Edmund Cartwright is featured in this brief biography for automating the textile industry with a power loom.
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Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Elijah Mc Coy

For Students 9th - 10th
According to this article, Elijah McCoy (1844-1929 CE) is one of the most prolific inventors in American history. Read about his parents who escaped slavery by traveling on the Underground Railroad and about his invention, the automatic...
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Frederick M. Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Frederick M. Jones is featured in this brief biography for his lasting contributions to the refrigerator and cinema industries.
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Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Philo Farnsworth

For Students 9th - 10th
Crack open a present day television today and it may not be as apparent, but every television designer is aware of the name Philo Farnsworth. Find out about the man behind the first all electric television among the 299 other patents...
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Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Wilson Greatbatch

For Students 9th - 10th
Cardiac pacemaker inventor, Wilson Greatbatch, is featured in this brief biography.
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Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Chester Carlson

For Students 9th - 10th
Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides interesting information on Chester F. Carlson, the inventor of the photocopier. The site provides good background on the history of the photocopier, and a photo of Carlson.
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Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: R. Buckminster Fuller

For Students 3rd - 8th
Read about the transcendentalist and inventor, R. Buckminster Fuller, who created the geodesic dome.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Inventor Profiles: Charlotte Cramer Sachs

For Students 3rd - 8th
Charlotte Cramer Sachs held the patents on many inventions. She invented quick baking products such as Joy muffin mixes, as well as accessories for dogs and musical games. One invention was a precursor to the retractable dog leash. A...
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Inventor Profiles: Joseph B. Friedman

For Students 3rd - 8th
Joseph B. Friedman invented the bendable straw, which he patented in 1937. Read about his life here and the history of this famous invention.
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Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Inventor Profiles: Charles F. Brannock

For Students 9th - 10th
Charles F. Brannock's most famous invention was the Brannock Device. It is used worldwide today for measuring feet in order to determine proper shoe size. Original drawings for it can be viewed here, along with a biographical profile of...
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Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Walter Brattain (1902 1987)

For Students 9th - 10th
Walter Houser Brattain discovered the photo-effect that occurs at the free surface of a semiconductor and was co-creator of the point-contact transistor, which paved the way for the more advanced types of transistors that eventually...
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Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Howard Robard Hughes, Sr.

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this concise biography of Howard Robard Hughes, Sr., the inventor of the Hughes Rock Bit, which was key in the birth of the Texas oil drilling industry.
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Website
Other

Eli Whitney/cotton Gin

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of websites on Eli Whitney and his invention, the cotton gin.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Alexander Bain

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the life and work of Alexander Bain, the Scottish inventor and engineer who was first to invent and patent the electric clock.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
Get to know Alexander Graham Bell, the scientist, inventor, engineer, and innovator who is credited with patenting the first telephone.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Antonio Meucci

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biography about Antonio Meucci, best known for developing a voice communication apparatus that several sources credit as the first telephone.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Benjamin Thompson

For Students 9th - 10th
FInd out about one of the leading figures in the history of thermodynamics, Bnejamin Thompson.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Edwin Herbert Land

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the scientist and inventor, best known as the co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation, Edwin Herbert Land.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Emile Berliner

For Students 9th - 10th
Meet the inventor of the phonograph record and the phonograph, Emile Berliner.
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Article
Famous Scientists

Famous Scientists: Ernst Werner Von Siemens

For Students 9th - 10th
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.