PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Telephone
The home page to the PBS feature film on the invention of the telephone. The People and Events section has biographies and commentary on the invention of the telephone and its subsequent success. Be sure to click on Gallery for pictures...
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Magnet Academy: Crookes Tube 1870
English chemist Sir William Crookes (1832 - 1919) invented the Crookes tube to study gases, which fascinated him. His work also paved the way for the revolutionary discovery of the electron and the invention of X-ray machines.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How the Bendy Straw Was Invented
In the twelfth installment of our 'Moments of Vision' series, Jessica Oreck shares the origins of the bendy straw.
Other
Utah History to Go: Philo T. Farnsworth's Invention
The state of Utah provides us with biographical information on Philo T. Farnsworth who developed an idea for an "image dissector" in high school thus becoming the first to conceive of the basic technology of television.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: People and Events: Alexander Graham Bell
This PBS American Experience page provides a biographical survey of Alexander Graham Bell's life and inventions.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Edmund Cartwright
Edmund Cartwright is featured in this brief biography for automating the textile industry with a power loom.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Philo Farnsworth
Crack open a present day television today and it may not be as apparent, but every television designer is aware of the name Philo Farnsworth. Find out about the man behind the first all electric television among the 299 other patents...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Inventor of the Week: Charles Kettering
This famous Ohioan had many great accomplishments including founding DELCO, the company who "brought the automobile into the Age of Electricity."
Other
Edision Birthplace Museum: Birthplace of Edison
Biographical look at Thomas Edison from the museum of his birthplace. Provides information on his life and his inventions. Also gives a tour of Edison's birthplace.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Invention of the Week: George Eastman
A biography of George Eastman, who revolutionized photography with his innovations in film and photograph development. From the MIT School of Engineering.
Other
Who Is the Inventor of Television?
Evidently, this is not an easy question to answer! The television seems to be the international product of a series of discoveries and inventions. Here is an interesting summary of inventors and events leading up to the actual television...
BBC
Bbc Newsround: 'Most Waterproof Material' Invented at Mit
Brief article reports on the creation of the most waterproof material in existence.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Extension: Character Education "I Would Invent"
Excellent resource for empowering students to become better learners. This lesson includes encouraging students to develop an interest in science, to promote critical thinking skills, and to enhance reading and writing skills.
Stanford University
Stanford: Bioengineering Boot Camp Draws Young and 'Fearless' Talent
Learn about the cutting edge inventions being brought about by teens at Stanford University's bioengineering boot camp for high school students.
Rutgers University
Thomas Edison Papers: Latimer's Patents
Find a list of patents issued to African-American inventor, Lewis Latimer, to him individually or with another inventor. Clicking on the invention takes you a diagram of the invention as well as its description submitted to the U.S....
Science Museum, London
Science Museum Online Stuff: Garrett Morgan
An excellent article about inventor Garrett Morgan including information about his two life-saving inventions: the Safety Hood, an early gas mask, and the traffic light.
PBS
Pbs: Tesla, Master of Lighting
Inventor Nikola Tesla is the subject of this extensive PBS site. In addition to information on Tesla's life and work, the site offers insight into the ways in which society and invention affect each other.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Elisha Otis
A biography of the man who invented the elevator.
Other
Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking: Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking, and learn about the history of writing in ancient civilizations, the invention of paper, the spread to Europe, the impact it had, how paper is made, the evolution of...
National Geographic
National Geographic: American Genius: Perseverance
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...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress and inventor who pioneered the technology that would one day form the basis for today's WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Other
World Wide Web Consortium: Tim Berners Lee Answers
Doing a report? Want to figure out how the web works? Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor and creator of the World Wide Web, offers answers to some frequently asked questions about himself and his invention.
Other
James Hargreaves
The life and work of James Hargreaves, the inventor of the spinning jenny that revolutionized the English textile industry and brought on the Industrial Revolution.
Other
Green Living Answers: History of Hybrid Vehicles
What do you know about the invention and the history of hybrid cars? Here's a look at its beginnings in the early 1900's, modifications made over time, various kinds of hybrids, and finally, the events that lead to the present growth and...