University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Inventing the Riverboat
A discussion of Robert Fulton's and Henry Shreve's contribution to the evolution of the steamboat. Includes photos of early steamboats and some biographical information on Fulton. (Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated...
![Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf] Website")
University of Sydney (Australia)
Thermal Physics Module: Heat Engines [Pdf]
The second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy is applied to the topic of heat engines. The Carnot and Stirling engine are discussed. Efficiency is explained and an equation is derived.
Great Idea Finder
Idea Finder: James Watt
This article provides information regarding James Watts and his improvements to the steam engine in 1769.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Benjamin Bradley
Learn about inventor and African-American slave, Benjamin Bradley, developer of a steam engine large enough to run the first steam-powered warship.
Other
California State Railroad Museum: Central Pacific Railroad No. 1: Gov. Stanford
Use this resource to learn about the steam engine, Gov. Stanford, which was used in many roles on the Central Pacific Railroad line.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Innovations in Football Equipment
Due to recent advances in technology and engineering, new innovations in equipment are helping to support the game of football in every respect.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Fulton's Battery Catamaran
A description of Fulton's steamboat and its influence on subsequent military warships. Interesting, anecdotal and well-written. Includes some biographical information. (Text is the actual radio transcript of a syndicated radio broadcast...
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.
National Library of Scotland
National Library of Scotland: Digital Archive: Scottish Science Hall of Fame
Biographical and scientific information about discoveries and technological advances credited to ten Scots, Lord Kelvin (Kelvin scale), Alexander Graham Bell (telephone), James Watt (steam engine), and Alexander Fleming (penicillin),...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Empire That Was Russia, Photographic Record Recreated
The digital revival of the glass plate images of the Russian Empire on the eve of World War I by photographer Sergei Mikhaylovich Prokudin-Gorskii. Very interesting from both historical and technological points of view.
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...
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.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 1338: The Last Masts
Read about the history of the steamboat and the difficult transition that led to the eventual relinquishing of a ship's sails. This article is a transcript of a radio broadcast.
Curated OER
Unesco: Netherlands: ir.d.f. Woudagemaal (d.f. Wouda Steam Pumping Station)
The Wouda Pumping Station at Lemmer in the province of Friesland opened in 1920. It is the largest steam-pumping station ever built and is still in operation. It represents the high point of the contribution made by Netherlands engineers...
Library of Congress
Loc: Statesman Robert R. Livingston
Documents many of the important events in the life of Statesman Robert R. Livingston. Outlines his accomplishments, and provides two photographs and and an illustration of important pieces.
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.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Industrial Revolution: Causes
An overview of historians' views of the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and of the inventions, inventors, and industries that propelled it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: George Westinghouse
This brief article on the life and contributions of George Westinghouse (1846-1914) includes a picture. Read about his air brake as well as his development of the alternating current system.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Rise of American Industry
The Industrial Revolution came to America, smuggled in by Samuel Slater, who brought plans for a cotton-spinning mill. See how the growth of industry led to the growth of corporations, the growth of the nation geographically, and the...