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.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Social Studies: Grade 4: Inventions and the Great Plains
Read and study the sources about inventions from the late 1800s. As you read the three sources, think about the effects that the inventions had on the American economy.
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.
Federation of American Scientists
Fas: Memorial Tribute for Luis W. Alvarez
Read a tribute to Hispanic-American scientist and Nobel Peace prize winner, Luis Alvarez by a fellow scientist. He gives a very detailed account of his life.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Technology of the 1800s
[Free Registration/Login Required] Article considers the inventions and innovations in communication, transportation, and manufacturing that drove America forward in the nineteenth century. Includes a link to an interactive history of...
A&E Television
History.com: 6 Little Known Pioneers of Aviation
From an early glider experimenter to the first man to fly solo around the world, here are six lesser-known pilots and inventors who made their mark on aviation.
Agnes Scott College
Agnes Scott College: Grace Murray Hopper
Short biography includes a picture and references.
Yale University
Yale: The Ada Project: Grace Murray Hopper
A concise biography that includes personal as well as professional information.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 435: Hedy Lamarr, Inventor
Read about the remarkable actress Hedy Lamarr who, together with composer George Antheil, invented a technology that used frequency hopping to improve the effectiveness of Allied torpedoes during WWII. Their invention was not put into...
PBS
Who Made America?: George Eastman
A quick "snapshot" at the life and worldly contributions of George Eastman. See why he was chosen as one of America's great innovators and better understand how his photography processes transformed our society.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Wright Stuff
Companion website to the PBS documentary on the Wright Brothers and their contributions to aviation.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: On Time: Alarm Clock
People awoke not with the rising of the sun, but with the rude, mechanical jangling of an alarm clock at their bedsides. The clock, rather than the sun or any rhythms of nature or body, determined the patterns of life and work. People...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Whitcomb Judson
This site from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides a brief but factual account of the role Whitcomb Judson played in the development of the zipper.
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...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: History and Archaeology: Eli Whitney in Georgia
Although Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts, it was in Georgia that he invented the cotton gin in 1793.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benjamin Banneker
View the artwork of Jerry Pickney honoring Benjamin Banneker on a stamp. Banneker predicted a solar eclipse, published farmers almanacs, and was famous for many more things.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Bessie Blount: Self Feeding Device for Amputees
Read about Bessie Blount's contribution to medicine--her work as a physical therapist and her invention of a feeding device for amputees.
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.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Banneker 1731 1806
Provides an overview of the life of Benjamin Banneker in an easy to read format. Learn why he was an accomplished mathematician, astronomer, surveyor, and almanac writer.
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
University of Delware: Franklin and Friends
Using historically significant documents and photos from its collection, this exhibit probes the various interests of Franklin and the influential friends that shared his interests.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Samuel F. B. Morse
An account of Samuel Morse's life and career, with links to related information. Uses popups for photos.
Other
Colt Collectors Association: Colt's Life
A chronological list of events that happened in Samuel Colt's life and in the Colt company.
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