American inventors and inventions, late 1700's through 1850's


Encyclopedia of World Biography (Gale Virtual Reference Library; ask teacher for password). Ten volumes of biographies on-line, at your fingertips! This link takes you to the Table of Contents page. Choose a volume, click on "Go," then click on the + sign to see the people covered within that alphabetical range.

Search page, Gale Virtual Reference Library (Ask teacher for password). Simply put in the name of your invention (spell it correctly) into the "Find" box and hit "Search." You'll be surprised at all the quality information that is returned!

Inventors (from About.com): Go to the left-hand column and click on either Find: A to Z Inventions or Find: A to Z Inventors to go to an alphabetical list of linked names and inventions that offer lots of information.

18th-century inventions: Another About.com site, this page offers a chronologically linked list of the most significant inventions from 1700-1799; there is also a link that will do the same for the 19th-century (1800-1899).

18th century innovation timeline: This logically organized website presents unusual inventions of the century along with their inventors; many are linked so you can find out more information for either the invention or its inventor. There's a link for 19th century innovations at the bottom of the page.


Invention Project/Ms. Brown

Process: You are to use computers and books to research 18th and 19th century (1700's-1800's) inventions. You may work with a partner. All reports and projects will be due on ___________________________________.

You will need all three of the following:

A) A typed one-page report on your invention including who invented it, where and when it was invented, how it works, and why it is important.

B) A detailed, neat, colorful poster or 3-D model of your invention

C) A practiced, oral presentation from which the class with take notes.

You may choose any invention from the 1700's to the 1860's that improved life in America. Below are some suggestions:

The Erie Canal
 The Spinning Jenny
 The Whitney Musket
The Fulton Steamboat
 Morse Code/Telegraph
 The Deere Plow
The McCormick Reaper
 The Singer Sewing Machine
 The Cotton Gin
The thermometer
 The battery
 The submarine
The Smith Revolver
 The Microphone
 Matches
The Oil Well
 The Passenger Elevator
 The Burglar Alarm
The Steam Train
 The Typewriter

This project addresses U.S. History Content Standards 8.6 and 8.7.