Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Inventor Profiles: Joseph B. Friedman
Joseph B. Friedman invented the bendable straw, which he patented in 1937. Read about his life here and the history of this famous invention.
Smithsonian Institution
Lemelson Center: Spark!lab: Inventor Profiles: Charles F. Brannock
Charles F. Brannock's most famous invention was the Brannock Device. It is used worldwide today for measuring feet in order to determine proper shoe size. Original drawings for it can be viewed here, along with a biographical profile of...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: African American Scientists and Inventors
Besides George Washington Carver, what other African-Americans made contributions to American life? The class will explore the careers of famous and not-so-famous African-American scientists and inventors. Also, they will plan and...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Jan Matzeliger
Jan Ernst Matzeliger is remembered for his creation that had a tremendous effect on the shoe industry. He was a Surinamese inventor of the "lasting machine," patented in 1883.
Other
Black History From a to Z
Students will enjoy exploring this colorful site during Black History Month, or any other month! Follow the timeline of famous African American women and inventors, or just click on a letter of the alphabet to find brief pieces of...
Digital History
Digital History: The Wizard of Menlo Park
This resource provides information about the famous American inventor, Thomas Edison. Find out about his childhood, some of his famous inventions, and even some of his mistakes.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Famous Americans: Booker T. Washington
The National Postal Service provides brief biographical details on Booker T. Washington, black educator involved with the Tuskegee Institute. He was featured on the United States Postage ten cent stamp.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: George Washington Carver
An introduction to George Washington Carver, the talented, intelligent inventor. Learn why he was called a "Miracle Worker" for his vast knowledge of plants and agriculture. (In Spanish)
Schools of California Online Resources for Education
Score H/ss: Booker T. Washington
Biography of Booker T. Washington. Includes photographs and illustrations.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mathematician and Astronomer Benjamin Banneker
Learn about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker, an African American mathematician and scientist. Also contains portraits and a map of New York, which can be enlarged for a closer view.
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...
The Field Museum
Field Museum: George Washington Carver
The online companion to past Field Museum exhibit on the life and scientific contributions of George Washington Carver, this resource includes a biography, photo gallery, an overview of Carter's goal-oriented research, an educator's...
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Benjamin Banneker
View the artwork of Jerry Pickney honoring Benjamin Banneker on a stamp. Banneker predicted a solar eclipse, published farmers almanacs, and was famous for many more things.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Invention Dimension: Inventor of the Week: Frederick M. Jones
A brief biographical note about Frederick McKinley Jones that cites his work in the areas of refrigeration and sound recording.
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.
George Eastman Museum
Discovering the George Eastman in Me the Legacy
There is much to gain from looking at the life of George Eastman. These guided activities will help you and your students come to know the man he was and appreciate him and many others who have impacted our world.
Read Works
Read Works: Famous African Americans George Washington Carver
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous African American researcher, inventor, and educator, George Washington Carver. and This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that...
My Hero Project
My Hero: George Washington Carver
Use this site to learn about George Washington Carver, the African-American scientist "famous for experimenting with plants."
Other
In Search of Heroes: George Washington Carver
This site from Grace Products Corporation provides a wealth of information detailing George Washington Carver's life. Content includes a biography, timeline, and more.
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments: Black History Science
This StudyCards stack enables students to review facts about famous black scientists.
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.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Thomas Alva Edison
(1847-1931) Famous American inventor.
Curated OER
Science Kids: Science Images: Thomas Edison
This is a black and white photo of a famous American inventor named Thomas Edison. His many inventions included the practical electric light bulb and phonograph (a device used to play recorded sound).
Other
Granville T. Woods
Read a brief biography of Graville T. Woods, known as "The Black Edison" because of the multitude and scope of his inventions. Perhaps his most important was a way for trains to communicate with each other.