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...
Other
Canada's Digital Collections: Marconi
Marconi tells the story of how he sent the first wireless signal across the Atlantic in 1902.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Bubble, Bubble, Pop
Learn how to make bubble gum from scratch using a bubble gum making kit.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: 3 M Young Scientist Lab: Innovation Exploration
Advance your way through everyday life by exploring the science all around you. Click on an innovation within each scene and answer each question to proceed to the next.
Other
Earliest Voices: Thomas Edison
This resource offers historic voice recordings of Thomas Edison. There is a recording of animal sounds, and a speech given at an electrical exhibition in 1908. A biography and downloadable images of him are also included.
Smithsonian Institution
National Air and Space Museum: Wright Brothers: Who Were Wilbur and Orville?
Classroom activities, interactive experiments, timelines, and other artifacts that celebrate the Wright brothers' first flight.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 587: Alexander Graham Bell
A discussion of the life and achievements of Canadian inventor, Alexander Graham Bell. Focuses on the two fascinations that marked Bell's whole life: his concern for the deaf and for flight, and the inventions that resulted. This is a...
PBS
Pbs Kids: Martha Speaks: t.d. Reports: Chewing Gum
Take a walk through history with this kid-friendly, multimedia research report on the inventors of chewing gum.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Alexander Bain
Find out about the life and work of Alexander Bain, the Scottish inventor and engineer who was first to invent and patent the electric clock.
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.
Great Idea Finder
The Great Idea Finder: Thomas Alva Edison
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.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Elmer Sperry
A prolific inventor and businessman, Sperry engineered a gyrocompass that made piloting ships, airplanes, and even spacecraft more reliable. He formed eight different companies to produce his inventions, some still in use today.
Other
Brockton Historical Society: Thomas Alva Edison
Site devoted completely to the achievements of Thomas Edison. Includes a detailed biography, inventions, photo gallery, and quotes.
Great Idea Finder
Computing History
This site contains a listing of computing inventions and inventors throughout history with links for more detailed information.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Gail Borden, Jr. 1801 1874
Good resource for biographical information on Gail Borden who was a teacher, soldier, surveyor, tax collector, missionary, but most of all an inventor. Best known for his invention of condensed milk.
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Edwin Herbert Land
Learn about the scientist and inventor, best known as the co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation, Edwin Herbert Land.
Other
Museum of Ingenuity: Musee J. Armand Bombardier
The museum of Joseph Armand Bombardier(1907-1964), the Canadian inventor of the snowmobile. The museum offers its visitors a look into the personal and professional life of Bombardier as it outlines his achievements, patent information,...
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 695: John Ericsson
A biography of John Ericsson, a man who invented in three countries over most of a century. He invented an early locomotive, a hot-air engine, screw propeller, and the Monitor, which was used in the Civil War. This is a transcript of an...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Cyrus Mc Cormick 1809 1884
Easy to read brief biography of the man who invented the mechanical reaper, Cyrus McCormick (1808-1884). View a timeline and see pictures of the reaper and other harvesting machines.
Energy for Sustainable Development
Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Lee De Forest
A profile of Lee de Forest who lived from 1873 to 1961. He was one of the most important inventors of radio and electronic technology, whose inventions touch everyday life.
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.
Read Works
Read Works: Ben Franklin's Idea
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about a little-known invention made by Benjamin Franklin. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light
This site explores the various challenges Edison faced upon attempting to produce electric power. It contains a historical essay, a complete list of Edison's patents, information on the AC and DC currents, recordings produced by the...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Harcourt: Biographies: Alexander Graham Bell
An interesting description of the career of the man who invented the telephone. Learn more of his adventurous life as you read. (In Spanish)