Famous Inventions of the
Industrial Revolution
And why they are importan
Revolution
• What does revolution mean?
Revolution
• What does revolution mean?
• Revolution means dramatic, rapid change. (In this
context).
Revolution
• THIS
Revolution
• TO THIS
Revolution
• OR THIS
Revolution
• TO THIS
Industrial Revolution
• Time of unprecedented invention and
innovation in Europe and America.
• Lasted from mid-1700’s -1900 in Europe and
from about 1840’s – 1910’s in America.
• Created enormous economic growth as well as
terrible pollution and social problems.
Why is invention/innovation
important?
Why is invention/innovation
important?
• Brings about new tools and machines
• Manufactures products quicker
• Helps economic growth
• Provides employment
Difference between
invention/innovation
• Invention: Creating brand new machines or
devices that improve the human condition.
• Innovation: Taking existing ideas/machines
and improving them.
Difference between
invention/innovation
• Invention
Difference between
invention/innovation
• Innovation:
Patents/Copyrights
• Patent: a certificate from the government that
proves you own the rights to your invention.
• Copyright: as above, but for a creative work,
such as a song, book or painting.
James Watt
STEAM ENGINE
YEAR: 1775
• Steam power can move very
heavy weights.
• It can drive wheels and
shafts in mills.
• It can turn propellers in
ships and wheels on trains
and cars…
Eli Whitney
Cotton Gin, Interchangeable
Musket Parts
• Cotton Gin automated
cotton picking process
1793,1798
• Interchangeable parts
streamlined and improved
manufacturing.
Robert Fulton
Steamboat Service on Hudson
River
YEAR: 1807
• Service improved
communication.
• Showed that ships with
steam engines were
feasible.
• Paved the way for larger,
sea-going ships.
Robert Stephenson
Invented Steam Locomotive
Year 1826-29
• Forerunner of modern
locomotives.
• Used steam power.
• Went about 30 miles per
hour, which was
groundbreaking for its time.
The “Rocket”
• Full size replica
Samuel F. B. Morse
Invented Telegraph
YEAR: 1836
• Made instantaneous, long
range communication
possible.
• System of wires stretched
hundreds of miles.
• “More Code” was a special
language used
Transcontinental Telegraph
Elias Howe
Invented Sewing Machine
YEAR: 1844
• Enabled textiles to be
manufactured quickly.
• Led to a boom in the textile
industry.
• Improved quality and
lowered price of clothing.
Cyrus Field
Transatlantic cable
YEAR: 1866
• Cable allowed
instantaneous
communication between
Europe and America.
• Used telegraph technology
in cable on sea bed.
• Took many attempts for it
too work properly
Submarine Cables Today
Alexander Graham Bell
Invented Telephone
YEAR: 1876
• Allowed for instantaneous
communication between
individuals from their own
homes.
• Rapidly increased the flow
of information between
businesses.
Thomas Edison
Invented Phonograph
1877
• Phonograph enabled
sounds to be recorded and
played back.
• Led to records, magnetic
audio tapes and eventually
CD’s
Thomas Edison
Incandescent Light Bulb
1879
• Made oil lamps obsolete.
• Enabled lighting at night in
homes, streets and public
areas.
• Imagine life without them!!!
Nikola Tesla
Induction Electric Motor
YEAR: 1888
• Made electricity a
commercially available
power source.
• Used to power lighting and
machinery.
• Revolutionized quality of life
for people everywhere.
Rudolf Diesel
Invented Diesel Engine
YEAR: 1892
• First engine to use
petroleum as a fuel.
• Small, portable engine for a
multitude of tasks.
• Used to drive vehicles
• Enabled the invention of
the motor car
Orville and Wilbur Wright
First Airplane
YEAR: 1903
• The importance of aircraft
cannot be overstated.
• Enabled travel between
continents that previously
had to be achieved by ship.
• Enabled more people to
travel to more places than
ever before.
Henry Ford
Model T Ford
YEAR: 1909
• First car to be mass
produced.
• Made cars accessible to
average American workers.
• Led to a boom in industry of
car related products and
services.
Henry Ford
Assembly Line
YEAR: 1913
• Standardized production
techniques .
• Allowed for high quality,
rapid production.
• Became the model for all
industries everywhere.
Why is this important?
• These inventors and inventions powered the enormous
American economic expansion that made America the world’s
largest economy.
• During the 20th century, this power drove America to great
heights of prestige and world influence.
• In addition, these inventions improved the quality of life for
hundreds of millions of people across the globe. Areas such as
communication, transport and manufacturing were
transformed.