Innovation and American
Inventiveness
This theme will explore changes in industry
and technology and how those changes
affected Americans, both socially and
economically.
Review by: Gaby Arreola, Marcela Duran,
Ileane Gutierrez, Irving Ramirez, Hiram Rios
1600s
Innovation in the seventeenth century sparked many creations such as the first man
powered submarine created by Cornelius Drebbel in 1620. The invention quickly altered
the way oceanic warfare was fought allowing for stealth and strategic location. Another
invention that helped alter the seventeenth century is the reflecting telescope created by Isaac
Newton in 1668. Its creation helped change the simple subject of astronomy in a new
dimension to be exploded.
1600s Key Terms
Cornelius Drebbel- created the first man made submarine used for stealth and strategic
location.
SubmarineIsaac NewtonTelescope-
1700s
In the 1700s some of the most important inventions came from one man Benjamin
Franklin. He came up with the bifocals which helped give colonists a new outlook on life.
Alone with the bifocals he invented the lightning rod helping to give a better understanding
of electricity and how to harness it. In addition to his most famous inventions he was also the
founder of the Franklin stove and the first fire department in the colonies. Similarly important
is Eli Whitney's cotton gin that was patented in 1794 and revolutionized the way cotton was
harvested doing up to 10x the work one slave could. Shorting the time it too took to take
seeds out by more than half.
1700s Key Terms
Benjamin FranklinBifocalsLightning Rod-
1800-1850
In the beginning of the 1800 American entered an era of technological innovation as
it began to advance into an industrial nation. Starting with the man Eli Whitney he started
the first to this era as he invented the concept of interchangeable parts. This led to the
machine tool- industry which produced specialized machines for certain industries. The first
industrial line was also introduced which not only increased the production but also made the
production more uniform in quality. The textile industry also progress with the power loom
which assisted in creating fabric at your own home. With the mass production that had
developed transportation innovation was necessary.
Transportation innovation also took its toll with the Erie Canal which was a passage of ship
routes from the United States towards European countries. It was not only used for trade but
to carry supplies. The invention of the steam engine also created the steam ship, a faster way
of transportation and carrying more loads. As sea transportation became more efficient also
ground transportation with the railroads in the 1830’s. This network connected multiple
cities and changed the whole method of transporting goods. As travel time decreased also
communicating with the first telegraph which allowed long distance communication.
1800-1850 Key Terms
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Technological innovation- advancement in technology
Industrial- an era where the country went from an agricultural era to an industrial era
with mass production
Eli Whitney- a man that created the cotton gin along with the concept of
interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts- the concept of creating parts of a machine that are removable
in case one part is broken
Machine tool- industry- industry that specialized in creating machines and tools for a
certain industry
Power loom- a machine that increased the speed of producing fabric, easy to carry
and can work from your own home
Erie Canal- ship routes that connected European countries to the United States
Steam engine-an engine that is powered by steam
Steam ship- a ship powered by the steam engine, increase in speed and power
Railroads- tracks that connected multiple cities and can carry cargo
Telegraph- device used to communicate through large distances
1851-1900
One of the most important inventions of the machine age was the light bulb, invented
by Thomas A. Edison in 1876. Edison’s work soon developed the need of power plants.
Many other advances such as these allowed for the extension of the workday and the wider
availability of electricity. This period was often called the Age of Invention, where so many
technological advancements where made. Subsequent generated opportunities for mass
production, which then caused the economy to grow at a stupendous rate. In the years
following many great inventors such as Isaac Singer who invented the sewing machine
(1851), Georges Audemars invents rayon (1855); Hamilton Smith patents the rotary
washing machine (1858) where all contributors to the 19th century the age of machine too,
machines that made parts for other machines, including interchangeable parts. The assembly
line was invented during the 19th century, speeding up the factory production of consumer
goods.
1851-1900 Key Terms
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Light bulb- is widely used in household and commercial lighting, for portable
lighting such as table lamps, car headlamps, and flashlights, and for decorative and
advertising lighting.
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Thomas A. Edison- was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many
devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the
motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.
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Power plant- is an industrial facility for the generation of electric power.
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Age of Invention- the last quarter of the nineteenth century full of technological
inventions
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Mass Production- is the production of large amounts of standardized products,
including and especially on assembly lines.
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Isaac Singer- He made important improvements in the design of the sewing machine
and was the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
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George Audemars- developed the first artificial silk now known as rayon.
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Hamilton Smith- invented the first rotary washing machine patented in 1858
1901-1950
The invention of the electric motor in the 1900's played a big role in the economic
boom. Electric motors became essential for both work and home environments, used for
industrial machines and house hold appliances. Due to this invention industries grew and
offered more jobs. Due to Henry Ford perfecting the assembly line and mass production
automobiles were now not only affordable to the wealthy. The automobile allowed people
who worked in the cities to move farther away from city centers, which created the suburbs,
the automobile was now an affordable necessity. Due to the impact of the automobile in the
1920's multiple areas were forced to develop roadways and means of policing traffic, by 1929
more than 23 million automobiles were registered in the united states. The radio as well as
the automobile changed the nation’s culture, ten million families owned radios, and families
would constantly get together and listen to the radio at home. Movies became tremendously
popular during the decade, on movie screens one could see young, independent-minded,
heroes and heroines defying all odds to succeed in romance and at the same time strike it rich.
1901-1950 Key Terms
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Electric motor - An electric machine than convert’s electrical energy into mechanical
energy.
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Henry Ford- American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and
sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production,
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Assembly Line - A series of workers and machines in a factory by which a succession
of identical items is progressively assembled.
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Automobiles - A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal
combustion engine or electric motor and able to carry a small number of people.
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Suburbs- An outlying district of a city, especially a residential one.
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Radio- The transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves of radio frequency,
especially those carrying sound messages.
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Movies- A story or event recorded by a camera as a set of moving images and show in
theater or on television; a motion picture.
1951- Present
One huge government project that took place under President Eisenhower (19531961) was the Interstate Highway System. It was an extremely costly project that was made
in part for it to be easier to transport soldiers and nuclear missiles throughout the country, but
promoted tourism and the creation of suburbs. A large part of Americans began to live in
suburbs beginning in that decade because of the system, and it is still very important in
American culture. The Cold War was in effect during this time and because the U.S. did not
want to fall behind the Soviet Union in technology, it created NASA or the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration. The launching of Sputnik (1957) by the USSR was
what led to the rapid creation and funding of the program, and math and science were also
promoted more during the decade. Television made its great appearance in the 50s and has
continued to be extremely popular. In the 1950s it promoted the era of consensus and
consumerism by making people largely accept certain ideals. It played a role in the debates
between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, for example, and began to televise important
events as well. Personal computers (PC) also made their appearance in the late 1960s and
became more popular throughout the 70s although they were still too expensive for many
people to own. They were about the size of a typewriter and limited in functions. In the 80s
they began to be developed more for households, and have continued to be ever-present in
American lives, especially in present day.
1951-Present Key Terms
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Interstate Highway System: developed under President Eisenhower, it is the national
network of highways of the U.S. Its costly construction was authorized by the Federal
Aid Highway Act of 1956.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): agency of the U.S.
dedicated to space research and aeronautic programs. Created under President
Eisenhower in 1958 in response to the USSR advancements.
Television: also called TV, is used for receiving images and sound (moving pictures
box thing). Grew to prominence in the 1950s and continues to portray public beliefs
and ideals.
Personal computer (PC): a computer for general purposes directed toward individual
use, began to be popular in the 1970s.