Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Forgotten Inventors

For Students 9th - 10th
Here is an accounting of a few inventions, most of which were invented in the 1800s, that often are overlooked. Find out about how the can opener was invented as well as that clothing staple, the denim jeans.
Handout
Other

History of Telephone Sets: Graham Bell Invents the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
A short summary of how Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) came to invent the telephone.
Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Lewis Latimer

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Other

Black Inventor Online Museum: Jan Matzeliger

For Students 9th - 10th
A very complete biography of African-American inventor, Jan Matzeliger, who developed the shoe-lasting machine. Read about the development of his invention, and see pictures of the machine and the patent drawing.
Handout
Other

Ncr: James Ritty, Inventor of the Cash Register, 1879

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting biography of James Ritty and an account of how he invented the cash register. Included are pictures of his designs and the prototypes.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: American Inventors

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars will learn about 8 American inventors from the 1800's. They will use the internet of encyclopedia disc to research and print pictures and information about these people.
Handout
Then Again

Then Again: Web Chron: Alexander Graham Bell Invents the Telephone

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes how Bell started out by seeking to help the deaf and ended up with a telephone. It gives brief information about his family and how he came to invent the telephone.
Handout
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...
Article
Arizona State University

Arizona State University: Why Was the Valve Invented?

For Students 9th - 10th
Dr. Ericson holds firm to his beliefs that the valve was not invented as "a mere crook changing device." Dr. Ericson embraces the idea that the "co-inventors of the valve clearly intended to perfect the brass instruments by making them...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Alexander Graham Bell: Scientist, Inventor, and Teacher

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Using a short video and two primary sources, learners will learn about Bell's inventions and his work with the deaf community.
Website
New York Times

New York Times: Crossword Puzzle: Inventors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The New York Times Learning Network has developed interactive & printable crossword puzzles. The theme of this one is Inventors.
Website
Other

Lee De Forest, American Inventor: The Complete Lee De Forest

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive site covering all aspects of Lee de Forest, his inventions, writings, and personal life. Find drawings and pictures of his audion tube and find out about his legacy, especially in the world of electronics.
Website
Other

Lemelson Center's Invention at Play: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
A summary of Alexander Graham Bell's telephone invention.
eBook
Other

Edison:life and Inventions/motion Pictures

For Students 9th - 10th
This page is part of an online text of a book published in 1929 by Dyer and Martin on the life and work of inventor Thomas Edison. Discusses Edison's role in the development of motion pictures, but be sure to view the rest of the book...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: True Colors Dyeing Yarn

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting history and exploration of the technology and invention of dyes and dyeing from earliest times to present and the effects of new colors in yarns on the economy. This is a complete unit of lessons with activities and...
Website
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...
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Otis Boykin 1920 1982

For Students 3rd - 8th
Otis Boykin was a successful African American inventor whose inventions include resistors for electrical equipment and missiles, a controller for pacemakers, and a burglar-proof cash register.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Granville T. Woods

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Granville T. Woods is featured in this brief biography for his multiplex telegraph which was a useful invention for the railroad industry.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Madame C. J. Walker

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Madame C. J. Walker is featured in this brief biography for her invention of the Walker Hair Care System.
Article
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Invention of the Week: Ernesto E. Blanco: Stair Climbing Wheelchair

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about MIT teacher and practitioner Ernesto Blanco, inventor of the stair-climbing wheelchair. This article provides details on the inventor's life, his career outside of MIT, and his inventions that continue to help the handicapped...
Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Young Inventors

For Students Pre-K - 1st
In this stills collage adapted from the National Science Teachers Association/Craftsman Young Inventors Awards, see several inventions by students in grades 4-7 and read about some of the challenges they faced during the design process.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Frederick M. Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Frederick M. Jones is featured in this brief biography for his lasting contributions to the refrigerator and cinema industries.
Website
National Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame

For Students 9th - 10th
Get a taste of what inventors do by exploring exhibits at the National Inventors Hall of Fame in North Canton, OH.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Lloyd Augustus Hall

For Students 9th - 10th
Inventor Lloyd Augustus Hall is featured in this brief biography who made several contributions to the food and drug industry such as his patented method for curing meats so they would keep better.

Other popular searches