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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: George Washington Carver

For Students 9th - 10th
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)
Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 587: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Digital History

Digital History: The Wizard of Menlo Park

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Great Idea Finder

The Great Idea Finder: Thomas Alva Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Elmer Sperry

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Great Idea Finder

Computing History

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a listing of computing inventions and inventors throughout history with links for more detailed information.
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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Gail Borden, Jr. 1801 1874

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
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Other

Museum of Ingenuity: Musee J. Armand Bombardier

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
Article
University of Houston

University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: No. 695: John Ericsson

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Cyrus Mc Cormick 1809 1884

For Students 3rd - 8th
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.
Handout
Energy for Sustainable Development

Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Lee De Forest

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: History and Archaeology: Eli Whitney in Georgia

For Students 9th - 10th
Although Eli Whitney was born in Massachusetts, it was in Georgia that he invented the cotton gin in 1793.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Ben Franklin's Idea

For Teachers K
[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.
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PBS

Pbs American Experience: Edison's Miracle of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
Handout
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Alexander Graham Bell

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting description of the career of the man who invented the telephone. Learn more of his adventurous life as you read. (In Spanish)
Handout
Florida State University

Florida State University: Science, Optics & You: Galileo Galilei

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), one of the most famous scientists and inventors of all time. He is best remembered for his invention of the telescope, which caused him to question the contemporary belief that the Earth was the...
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Other

Federal Highway Administration: Garrett A. Morgan Program

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the Federal Highway Administration provides a detailed biography of Garret A. Morgan (1877-1963 CE), as well as focusing on two of his most important inventions: the three-position traffic signal and the safety hood....
Handout
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Magnet Academy: Iconoscope 1923

For Students 9th - 10th
American inventor Vladimir Zworykin, the "father of television," conceived two components key to that invention: the iconoscope and the kinescope.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Benjamin Franklin: The Ultimate Solution Creator

For Teachers 8th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about Benjamin Franklin and some of his inventions. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Handout
Other

Selected Essays on Barbed Wire: Brief History of Barbed Wire

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides information on the development and use of barbed wire. Includes biographies on Joseph F. Glidden, Jacob Haish, and Isaac L. Ellwood, who were instrumental in its invention and marketing. For more information on barbed wire,...
Handout
BBC

Bbc: Bitesize History: The Industrial Revolution: Causes

For Students 6th - 8th
An overview of historians' views of the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain and of the inventions, inventors, and industries that propelled it.
Handout
Energy for Sustainable Development

Esd Bulgaria: Kids & Energy: Energy Pioneers: Michael Faraday (1791 1867)

For Students 3rd - 8th
A profile of Michael Faraday, a British scientist who discovered electromagnetic induction, which made it possible to develop the technology for generating electricity. He produced many other inventions, some of which are described here.
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Digital History

Digital History: Resistance to Technological Innovation

For Students 9th - 10th
Hinderances to technological advances included poor education and hostility to innovation and experimentation. See how this opposition was overcome by the many smalltime tinkerers and inventors who ignited people's interest in technology.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Thomas Edison

For Students 9th - 10th
The "Wizard of Menlo Park" brought the world electric light, recorded music, and the movies, among other things, and turned innovation into a science by inventing the research laboratory.

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