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Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney was an American inventor who created the cotton gin. Cotton was one of America's main exports, and was heavily sought after. However removing the seeds from it's soft fibers was a long, meticulous process. Whitney created the Cotton Gin that worked like a sieve, removing the seeds quickly. However, this effecient method of cotton production made plantation owners greedy, and strengthened slavery in the south. -
Battery
Allesandro Volta was a physicist, chemist, and the inventor of the voltaic pipe (battery).This allowed him to produce steady flows of electric current. This battery led to many new discovories, inventions, and advancements in science. The batteries we use today are based off of the voltaic pipe. -
Sewing machine
Elias Howe patented the firs sewing machine.It had a needle with an eye at the point, that created a loop in the cloth by pushing through the cloth. A lockstitch was created with a shuttle on a track then slipped the second thread through the loop. Although these sewing machines didn't go into mass production immediatly, after being innovated a few times, it changed the entire textile industry. It made manufacturing clothing more efficient, faster, and cheaper. -
Dynamite
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish industrialist and engineer who researched new methods of blasting rock. He mostly experimented by detonating nitroglycerine. Nobel then invented dynamite, which used a strong shock rather than heat combustion. Dynamite comes from the Greek word dunamis which means power. -
Typewriter
Christopher Latham Sholes, an American, was a printer by trade. He did not invent the first typewriter, but he was the first to produce a more practical one. This meant faster typing, less paper jams, and a more reliable typewriter. He also used the QWERTY keyboard, which we still use today. -
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell was the Scottish-American scientist that created the first telephone. He worked at a school for the deaf, while he worked towards his goal to transmit sound using electricity. It started with him trying to help the deaf learn to speak by using graphically recorded sound waves. He then tried transmitting several telegraphic messages simultaneously over a single wire. All these events led to the invention of the telephone. -
Light bulb
One of Thomas Edison's 1093 patents, was the light bulb. Although streetlights were already existent, they were rare and expensive, Edison's goal was to create an incandescent lightbulb that was affordable, convenient, durable, and practical enough for daily home use. -
Diesel Engine
Frenchman Rudolf Diesel was the first to create a compression ignition, internal combustion engine that was slowburning and effecient. He made many prototypes, and at first his testings were unsuccessful, but after a series of improvments, he recieved the results he desired. Modern engines are based on Diesel's engine. -
Airplane
Orville and Wilbur Wright were the first people to create a successful airplane that flew naturally at an even speed, The first functional airplane rose to an altitude of 10 feet, traveled 120 feet, and landed 12 seconds after takeoff. After a couple more attempts, they were able to get even better results. Over the years many people have innovated this invention and have bettered it in many ways. Modern airplanes, and a lot of other technology we use today is based on their airplane. -
Model T
Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Compony created the Model T, that was in production for over 19 years. This meant cars were for average Americans, not just the wealthy. It was practical, inexpensive, durable, versatile, and easy to maintain. Ford also pioneered the assembly line, which made production simpler, quicker, and more effecient. The assembly line is still in use today.
