Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: Invention of the Telephone
The Great Idea Finder provides information on the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and its history throughout the years. Links to other sites with information are provided.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Libraries: Innovators Gallery
Who invented the tennis racket, Crayola Crayons or Tupperware? Smithsonian site invites users to explore the achievements of a variety of American innovators and inventors.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Inventors and Inventions
The industrial revolution in America spawned the inventions of many inventors, who improved technology in many different areas. See how transportation, agriculture, and communications were transformed because of these inventions.
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: A History of Wonderful Inventions by Henry G. Bohn
This is an online photocopy of the original text of the children's book A History of Wonderful Inventions by Henry G. Bohn(1861), a history of inventors and inventions such as the compass, gunpowder, clocks, printing, and more.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Science and Invention
Module with links to resources and videos on science, inventions and technology of the 19th and 20th Centuries that changed the course of American history.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 326: Colonial Women Inventors
Provides information on two Colonial women inventors. This is a transcript of an accompanying radio broadcast.
PBS
Pbs Kids: Martha Speaks: Super Inventions
In this interactive story, learn how animal abilities have inspired inventions over the years.
Text Project
Text Project: Fyi for Kids: Young Inventors: Chester Greenwood [Pdf]
This magazine article explains how Chester Greenwood invented ear warmers when he was 15 years old.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia: Jefferson as an Inventor
This section of a larger site on Thomas Jefferson discusses his involvement in the development of the patent system. Here, read about Jefferson's committment to science and his role as an inventor.
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.
University of California
University of California: Otis Boykin: Inventor
Otis Boykin (1920-1982 CE) is attributed with developing twenty-six electronic inventions, including devices for guided missiles, IBM computers and a control unit for an artificial heart stimulator.
Other
Leonardo Da Vinci the Man & the Inventor
An award winning site containing fantastic information on Leonardo as a man, an artist, and an inventor. You will find detailed analysis of his paintings, a section containing his drawings, articles on his life, designs for many machines...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Super Glue Was Invented: Moments of Vision 8
Today, super glue is a nearly indispensable household item - but its incredibly sticky nature almost caused it to be abandoned in the development phase - twice. Jessica Oreck shares the wartime origins of this sticky substance. [1:53]
Other
Up to Ten: The History of Inventions
Place the inventions on the interactive timeline in chronological order to advance to the next level.
Other
Black Inventor Online Museum: Andrew Beard
A short biography of Andrew Beard, whose invention improved the safety of railroads in the 19th century.
University of California
University of California: Lloyd Augustus Hall: Chemist and Inventor
Brief summary of Hall's inventions and contributions to science.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Inventors and Innovators Improve on the Original
This lesson plan focuses on discussion of inventions, brainstorming new products or improvements, and identifying the protection, production, and marketing processes.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Helen Murray Free
Biography of Helen Free, detailing her life as a chemist and inventor who developed many products for consumer use, including a convenient at-home glocose level test.
Other
Pioneers, Inc.: Black Scientists and Inventors
Find brief descriptions of the inventions of many African-American inventors in many fields in the 19th century.
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.
Other
African American Inventors Who've Changed Your Life (Pdf) [Pdf]
Integrated lesson plan focusing on the contributions that African American inventors have made to modern society. Includes rationale, day by day plan, links, and other information.
Other
Edison: His Life and Inventions: The Telephone, Motograph, and Microphone
This site offers the text of a book by Frank Dyer and Thomas Martin published in 1929 on the inventions of Thomas Edison. This particular page discusses Alexander Graham Bell's development of the telephone and the controversy over Thomas...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: Whitcomb Judson
This site from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides a brief but factual account of the role Whitcomb Judson played in the development of the zipper.
Other
Lemelson Center's Invention at Play: Surgical Robot Inventor
Read a biography of Akhil Madhani, the inventor of the surgical robot, and about his teleoperated surgical instruments.