Needham's time line By rinettegirl8 Sep 1, 1710 1710 Thermometer invented by Rene Antoine Ferchault de Reaumur Oct 25, 1733 1733 John Kay invents flying shuttle Nov 26, 1742 1742 Franklin stove invented by Benjamin Franklin Dec 5, 1752 1752 Lightning rod invented by Benjamin Franklin Aug 24, 1767 1767 Spinning jenny invented by James Hargreaves Jul 6, 1769 1769 Steam engine invented by James Watt May 11, 1774 1774 Priestly isolates oxygen Jan 6, 1779 First steam powered mills automate the weaving process. Aug 25, 1781 1781 William Herschel discovers the planet Uranus. May 15, 1783 1783 Hot air balloon invented by Montgolfier brothers Oct 24, 1791 1791 Steamboat invented by John Fitch May 27, 1793 1793 Eli Whitney develops the cotton gin Oct 24, 1798 1798 Vaccination invented by Edward Jenner Sep 26, 1799 1799 Humphrey Davy discovers nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Dec 27, 1799 1799 Oliver Evans invents the conveyer belt