Great Idea Finder
Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer
An extensive biography of the life of African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. Find out about his primary claim to fame in the development of an incandescent light bulb, but be sure to read about his many patents, and his importance to...
Other
Black Inventors Online Museum: Benjamin Banneker
Use this site to learn about Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806 CE), an African American that created the first clock built in the United States and was known as our first great Black Inventor.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: Inventor Granville Woods Biography
A detailed biography of Granville T. Woods, who was known as "the Black Edison" because of his many inventions. He is best known for greatly improving the safety of railroads by his invention of the Multiplex Railway Telegraph.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Granville T. Woods: The Multiplex Telegraph
A description of Granville Woods' successful invention, the multiplex telegraph, which greatly improved railroad safety. From the Lemelson-MIT Project.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Innovative Lives
At this site from the Smithsonian Institute you can explore the world of invention by learning about inventors and their inventions. Searchable by name or subject, it is a great way for students to learn about science and technology.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: Social Studies: Grade 4: Inventions and the Great Plains
Read and study the sources about inventions from the late 1800s. As you read the three sources, think about the effects that the inventions had on the American economy.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: George Washington Carver
Resource provides biographical material of the famous inventor, George Washington Carver. Content includes links to places for further information, timeline, as well as fun facts about this man.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: Elijah Mc Coy
Find out where the expression "The Real McCoy" comes from. This site provides brief biographical information about the inventor Elijah McCoy (1844-1929 CE).
Other
Black Inventor Online Museum: George Washington Carver
BlackInventor.com profiles George Washington Carver, inventor, teacher, and scientist whose discoveries greatly changed American agriculture.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Peanuts, Pecans, and Peas, Please (Lesson)
Check out this informative site that looks at the world of the peanut. This tiny nut had a great influence on our economy. Find out how George Washington Carver changed the economy of the South with his research on the lowly peanut.
PBS
Who Made America?: George Eastman
A quick "snapshot" at the life and worldly contributions of George Eastman. See why he was chosen as one of America's great innovators and better understand how his photography processes transformed our society.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Making Friends With Franklin
Come meet Benjamin Franklin and some of his scientific friends. Learn about them through the eyes of early American portraiture. Following the introduction are three great lesson plans for teachers of language arts, science, and visual...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Elijah Mc Coy
This is a great resource for information on Elijah McCoy. This mechanical engineer revolutionized the locomotive industry with his invention. Links to photographs and additional information are available also.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Henry Ford Biografia (Espanol)
A brief biography of Henry Ford. Ford's great ideas were to improve the inventions around him and to produce them very efficiently. Good links to pictures and other information.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison (February 11, 1847 - October 18, 1931) was an American inventor and businessman who developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph and the long-lasting, practical...