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Rutgers University

Thomas Edison Papers: Edison's Patents

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers an exhaustive list of 1,093 patents granted to Thomas Edison. There is also a graphic representing his annual output available. Hyperlinks to much more information. Included are the actual drawings of inventions...
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Other

History of Recording Technology: Edison's Invention of the Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
Click through the pages on this site to read about Edison's development of the phonograph as well as a discussion of Edison's rivals who were seeking to develop a similar product. Read about the changes in the ways to record sound as the...
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Rutgers University

Rutgers: The Thomas Edison Papers

For Students 9th - 10th
Links to copies of papers written by Thomas Edison. Also includes biographical information and copies of his patents and companies.
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Rutgers University

Thomas Edison Papers: Motion Pictures

For Students 9th - 10th
From the collection of Thomas Edison's papers at Rutgers University is this description of Edison's involvement in the development of motion pictures in conjunction with his assistant, W.K.L. Dickson.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Timeline of Thomas Edison's Inventions

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes Thomas Edison's inventions in chronological order from 1868 to 1915, with mention of his contribution to World War I.
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Great Idea Finder

The Great Idea Finder: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from The Great Idea Finder presents a lengthy biography of Thomas Edison, followed by a wealth of suggested resources including books, movies, and the Internet.
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National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Edison Battery 1903

For Students 9th - 10th
Although it never quite measured up to expectations, the Edison battery paved the way for the modern alkaline battery.
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Thomas Edison

For Students K - 1st
Brief biographical sketch of Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb and phonograph.
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Rutgers University

Blueprint for Change: The Life and Times of Lewis H. Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive look at the inventor, Lewis Latimer, from the Thomas Edison Papers at Rutgers University. Read essays about his life and inventions, the culture in Boston which encouraged his work, and his life outside his inventions. A...
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Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a brief biography of Thomas Edison.
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Other

Creative Thinking With Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
As a master inventor Thomas Edison used many techniques that helped him with his creative ideas. Learn how you can apply some of his techniques to yourself to aid you in your own creative inventiveness.
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Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information on American inventors Benjamin Franklin, Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney, Thomas Jefferson, Isaac Singer, Wilbur Wright, Thomas Alva Edison, Elias Howe, and Alexander Graham Bell. It offers pictures from and...
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Black Past

Black Past: Woods, Granville T.

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating encyclopedia article about Granville Woods, a black inventor,often referred to as the "black Edison."
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Other

Edison Phonograph Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the history of the Edison phonograph and provides photos.
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PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
The "Wizard of Menlo Park" brought the world electric light, recorded music, and the movies, among other things, and turned innovation into a science by inventing the research laboratory.
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Other

Earliest Voices: Gallery From the Vincent Voice Library

For Students 9th - 10th
This site addresses the advent of the voice recording. The introduction talks about the country at the time of this invention, the feelings of people on the topic, and early recording itself. Included are voice recordings of such...
Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: Light Bulb

For Students K - 1st
Learn about the early developments of the invention of the incandescent light bulb and Thomas Edison's development of the first practical light bulb.
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Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Magic Lanterns, Magic Mirrors

For Students 9th - 10th
Like fun house mirrors, motion pictures over the past one hundred years have reflected, challenged, influenced, and altered our visions of ourselves and the world in which we live. This virtual Exhibition was produced by the Photographic...
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Great Idea Finder

Great Idea Finder: Lewis Howard Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Granville T. Woods: The Multiplex Telegraph

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of Granville Woods' successful invention, the multiplex telegraph, which greatly improved railroad safety. From the Lemelson-MIT Project.
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Other

Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1880 1889

For Students 9th - 10th
The 1880's in America were chock full of new architecture, technologies, businesses, modern conveniences such as gas and electric, operas, fashions, and much more as featured in this resource.
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National Geographic

National Geographic: American Genius: Perseverance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the importance of failure to the process of innovation by investigating several items that were invented by accident. They share one "failure to success" story by creating a 3-panel comic strip poster, and then write...
Article
Creative Science Centre

Creative Science Centre: The Rough Science Phonograph

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains how a phonograph works and gives instructions on how to build one.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Invention Features: Lewis Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
Smithsonian site features the life and many accomplishments of Lewis Latimer, the famous African-American inventor.

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