five important 19th century inventions that revolutionised industry, agriculture or manufacturing By PETAR82 1800 French silk weaver J.M. Jacquard invents the Jacquard loom. 1810 German Frederick Koenig invents an improved printing press. 1814 The first successful steam locomotive, designed by George Stephenson, makes its debut. 1834 Henry Blair, the second African American to receive a U.S. patent, invents the corn planter. 1844 Englishman John Mercer invents a process to increase the tensile strength and affinity for dyes in cotton thread.