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Primary
University of Florida

Baldwin Library: A History of Wonderful Inventions by Henry G. Bohn

For Students 5th - 8th
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.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Nikola Tesla: The Electro Magnetic Motor

For Students 3rd - 8th
Use this site to learn about the inventor of the electro-magnetic motor, Nikola Tesla. Find out why Tesla's experimentation with alternating current was so important to later inventions and use of electricity.
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Interactive
PBS

Pbs Kids: How to Be an Inventor

For Students K - 1st
Part of the Real Stories series from "Martha Speaks," this read-along story teaches young children how easy it is to be an inventor.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: James T. Russell

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a biography of James T. Russell, inventor of the compact disk, and the basic ideas behind the technology.
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Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Wallace Carothers

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology contains information on Wallace Hume Carothers and his invention of nylon.
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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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Handout
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame: George Eastman

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a biography of George Eastman and find out how his inventions and innovations revolutionized photography.
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Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Jonas Salk

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Jonas Salk and the development of the polio vaccine. This article from the MIT Invention Dimension includes several links to further information on the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and the Salk Institute for...
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Handout
Other

United States Patent and Trademark Office: The Cycle of Invention

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the cycle of invention where one invention inspires someone to create another one.
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Website
Great Idea Finder

Great Idea Finder: Invention of the First Typewriter

For Students 9th - 10th
A review of the history of the typewriter and a description of the first practical one invented by Christopher Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and Samuel Soule.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Everyday Mysteries: Who Is Credited as Inventing the Telephone?

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out who is credited for the invention of the telephone in this brief history.
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Handout
Other

Edison Birthplace Museum: Patents Granted to Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Thomas Edison is one of the world's greatest inventors and has been responsible for more inventions than any other inventor. Here is a chronological listing of the over 1,000 patents he was granted during his lifetime.
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eBook
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor's Handbook: Patents

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has everything you would want to know regarding United States patents is included in this handbook for the "Aspiring entrepreneur."
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Forgotten Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is an accounting of a few inventions, most of which were invented in the 1800s, that often are overlooked. Find out about how the can opener was invented as well as that clothing staple, the denim jeans.
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Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
The biography of the fascinating African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. In addition to finding out about his development of the carbon filament for the incandescent lamp, you can read about his expertise in patent law, his association...
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Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Jan Matzeliger

For Students 9th - 10th
A very complete biography of African-American inventor, Jan Matzeliger, who developed the shoe-lasting machine. Read about the development of his invention, and see pictures of the machine and the patent drawing.
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Website
Other

Smith College: Museum of Ancient Inventions

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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.
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Handout
Other

Ncr: James Ritty, Inventor of the Cash Register, 1879

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting biography of James Ritty and an account of how he invented the cash register. Included are pictures of his designs and the prototypes.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: American Inventors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
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Handout
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: Alexander Graham Bell Invents the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes how Bell started out by seeking to help the deaf and ended up with a telephone. It gives brief information about his family and how he came to invent the telephone.
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Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Inventors & Inventions 1801 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Enchanted Learning presents several brief overviews of major early nineteenth century inventors and their inventions. The information is accessible by clicking on the corresponding link.
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Unknown Type
abcteach

Abcteach: Inventors and Inventions

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Find several scientific inventors and inventions with activities for students in primary grades through middle school. One lesson in particular integrates technology by focusing on the invention of the...
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Website
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Inventions

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate past and present inventions, and use the tape player as an example to explore issues inventors must deal with, including patents, theft and technological obsolescence. Use the scientific method to choose, design and develop...
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Article
CNN

Cnn: Toys to Tackle Climate Change: A Young Inventor Wants to Inspire Kids

For Students Pre-K - 1st
This article profiles a young woman named Ann Makosinski who has been hailed as a 'child prodigy' for her toy inventions that use renewable energy. She earlier invented, for example, a flashlight that is powered by heat from the hand and...

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