Industrial Revolution Inventors
The Industrial Revolution that occurred in the 19th century was of
great importance to the economic future of the United States. Three
industrial developments led the way to Industrialization in America:
(1) transportation was expanded, (2) electricity was effectively
harnessed, and (3) improvements were made to industrial processes.
Following is a list of key events and dates of the Industrial Revolution.
Person
Invention
Date
James Watt
First reliable Steam Engine
1775
Eli Whitney
Cotton Gin, Interchangeable parts for muskets
1793,
1798
Robert Fulton
Regular Steamboat service on the Hudson
River
1807
Samuel F. B. Morse
Telegraph
1836
Elias Howe
Sewing Machine
1844
Isaac Singer
Improves and markets Howe's Sewing
Machine
1851
Cyrus Field
Transatlantic Cable
1866
Alexander Graham Bell
Telephone
1876
Thomas Edison
Phonograph, Incandescent Light Bulb
1877,
1879
Nikola Tesla
Induction Electric Motor
1888
Rudolf Diesel
Diesel Engine
1892
Orville and Wilbur
Wright
First Airplane
1903
Henry Ford
Model T Ford, Assembly Line
1908,
1913
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blchartindrev.htm
Top 10 Significant Industrial Revolution Inventors
By Martin Kelly, About.com Guide
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/industrialrev/tp/inventors.htm
The Industrial Revolution that occurred in the 19th century was of
great importance to the economic development of the United States.
Industrialization in America involved three important developments.
First, transportation was expanded. Second, electricity was effectively
harnessed. Third, improvements were made to industrial processes.
These improvements were made possible by the great American
inventors. Here is a look at ten of the most significant American
inventors during the 19th century.
1. Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison and his workshop patented 1,093 inventions. Included
in this were the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and the
motion picture. He was the most famous inventor of his time and his
inventions had a huge impact on America's growth and history.
2. Samuel F. B. Morse
Samuel Morse invented the telegraph which greatly increased the
ability of information to move from one location to another. Along with
the creation of the telegraph, he invented Morse code which is still
learned and used today.
3. Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. This invention
allowed communication to extend to individuals. Before the telephone
businesses had to rely on the telegraph.
4. Elias Howe/Isaac Singer
Elias Howe and Isaac Singer both were involved in the invention of the
sewing machine. This revolutionized the garment industry and made
the Singer Corporation one of the first modern industries.
5. Cyrus McCormick
Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper which made the
harvesting of grain more efficient and faster. This helped farmers have
more time to devote to other chores.
6. George Eastman
George Eastman invented the Kodak camera. This inexpensive box
camera allowed individual to take black and white pictures to preserve
their memories and historical events.
7. Charles Goodyear
Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber. This technique allowed
rubber to have many more uses due to its ability to stand up to bad
weather. Interestingly, many believe the technique was found by
mistake. Rubber became important in industry as it could withstand
large amounts of pressure.
8. Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla invented many important items including fluorescent
lighting and the alternating current (AC) electrical power system. He
also is credited with inventing the radio. The Tesla Coil is used in many
items today including the modern radio and television.
9. George Westinghouse
George Westinghouse held the patent to many important inventions.
Two of his most important inventions were the transformer which
allowed electricity to be sent over long distances and the air brake.
The latter invention allowed conductors to have the ability to stop a
train. Previous to the invention, each car had its own brakeman who
manually put on the brakes for that car.
10. Dr. Richard Gatling
Dr. Richard Gatling invented a rudimentary machine gun that was used
to a limited degree by the Union in the Civil War. However, they were
used extensively in the Spanish-American War.
Additional inventors:
11. Edmund Cartwright-Invented the power loom, it speeded up
production of thread.
12. James Hargreaves-English inventor of the spinning jenny.
13. John Kay-English watchmaker who invented the flying shuttle
used in weaving
13. Richard Arkwright-Invented the water frame, this water
powered device made even better thread for fabrics.
14. Eli H. Janney-Railroad car inventor
15. Gustavuas Swift-Invented the refrigerated car
16. George M. Pullman- invented the Pullman sleeping car
17. John Thurman- invented the vacuum cleaner
18. Lewis Howard Latimer- African American inventor of the
improved filament for light bulb
19. Granville Woods- African American invented many electrical
equipment for the railroad
20. Elijah McCoy- African American inventor of mechanism for oiling
machinery.
21. Jan E. Matzeliger- African American inventor of a shoe making
machine.
Name:________________
Date:_________________
Period:________________
Using the internet, answer the following questions about your inventor and invention.
Use complete sentences and make sure to document your sources
1. Who are you researching?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Why did you pick that person?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Where and when was your inventor born?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Briefly explain the background or family life of your inventor. Where did they grow
up? Did they go to school? Were they married or have a family?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the most famous invention your inventor created? When was it created? What
does/did it do? How long did it take to make this invention?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Did your inventor make other inventions other then the one “most famous” for?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. Was there a need for this invention? Was it successful? Why or why not?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. In your opinion, was this invention successful? Has there been any improvement
made on it? Do we use anything like it today?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
9. Which major categories of the industrial revolution does you inventors invention fit
into; (1) transportation was expanded, (2) electricity was effectively harnessed, and (3)
improvements were made to industrial processes. Explain your answer.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
10. Based you your research of this inventor, is this someone you would have liked to
meet? Why or why not? What would be some questions you would ask them?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________