National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame: Eli Whitney: Cotton Gin
Read about Eli Whitney's cotton gin and its importance to the cotton industry.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor's Handbook: Patents
This site has everything you would want to know regarding United States patents is included in this handbook for the "Aspiring entrepreneur."
Other
Explain That Stuff: Inventors and Inventions
Inventing isn't just about coming up with a great idea; that's the easy part! There's also the matter of turning an idea into a product that sells enough to recoup the cost of putting it on the market. And there's the ever-present...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Thomas Edison
A good description of the inventions and life of this bright and ambitious man. As inventor of the light bulb, phonograph, movie camera and many others, Edison lived a very inspiring life. In Spanish.
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...
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
New Georgia Encyclopedia: History and Archaeology: Eli Whitney in Georgia
Although Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts, it was in Georgia that he invented the cotton gin in 1793.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Lewis Howard Latimer
This is an excellent biography of Lewis Howard Latimer. It discusses his joy of learning throughout his entire life, and also includes additional links to help illustrate the topics presented.
Other
Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer
The biography of the fascinating African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. In addition to finding out about his development of the carbon filament for the incandescent lamp, you can read about his expertise in patent law, his association...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Libraries:industrial Drawings at the Smithsonian: Doodles & Drafts
Drawing is a key element in an inventor's skill set. When it comes to the working out of new ideas, inventors turn to pencil and paper. Mixing art and science, this exhibition site showcases a collection of industrial drawings that...
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Howard Robard Hughes, Sr.
Read this concise biography of Howard Robard Hughes, Sr., the inventor of the Hughes Rock Bit, which was key in the birth of the Texas oil drilling industry.
National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame: Thomas Alva Edison
This site honorsThomas Alva Edison as a historic inventor and focuses attention on his invention of the electric lamp.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Wake Up, America: Industrial Revolution in America [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that looks at the technological advances of early nineteenth-century America and the birth of the Industrial Revolution in America.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: What Is Competition?
Explore the world of competition in business through this informative lesson plan.
US National Archives
Nara: Teaching With Documents: Eli Whitney's Patent for the Cotton Gin
This National Archives and Records Administration site relates the history of Eli Whitney and his remarkable inventions. Links to sites with patent information on the cotton gin. Tons of teacher's resources can be found at this site.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Thomas Alva Edison
As the inventor of the lightbulb, phonograph, and the printing telegraph, Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), improved the daily lives of everyday people.
Other
United States Patent and Trademark Office: The Cycle of Invention
Read about the cycle of invention where one invention inspires someone to create another one.
Other
Mark Allen Engineering: The Engineer: Opinion: Navigating Patent Law in Space
With the rush to populate space and other planetary bodies, a British lawyer examines what the ramifications are for patent legislation. (Published June 14, 2021)
Other
Patent Museum: Egg Beater: Willis Johnson 1884
A brief description to the patent filing and an excerpt from the patent request that Willis Johnson filed for his improvements in the egg beater. Included are drawings submitted with the patent request.
Other
Black Inventor Online Museum: William Purvis
Read about the African-American inventor, William Purvis, who improved the fountain pen. Included is a list of his other inventions.
University of Kentucky
Agripedia: Mc Cormick Reaper
This resource provides very brief information on the McCormick reaper and links to other Cyrus McCormick and McCormick reaper sites.
Curated OER
Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer
The biography of the fascinating African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer. In addition to finding out about his development of the carbon filament for the incandescent lamp, you can read about his expertise in patent law, his association...
Curated OER
Black Inventor Online Museum: William Purvis
Read about the African-American inventor, William Purvis, who improved the fountain pen. Included is a list of his other inventions.