Inventions
Inventions can change the world in an instant. Inventions are thought of every minute but very few of them actually make it to market. In this section we'll examine amazing inventions from all throughout history.
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Learn about the Glass Armonica, a unique musical instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin. The glass armonica produces beautiful, haunting sounds by rubbing wet fingers on tuned glass bowls.
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he Revolutionary Heating Invention That Changed America - Franklin Stove. Learn about the history, design, and benefits of this iconic stove.
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The Revolutionary Writing Tool That Made Duplication Easy - Electric Pen. Learn about the history, design, and benefits of this iconic pen.
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The Old-School Copy Machine That Revolutionized the Way We Communicate. Learn about the history, design, and benefits of mimeograph
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The Revolutionary Recording Device That Changed the Way We Work - Dictaphone. Learn about the history, design, and benefits of dictaphone.
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The assembly line didn't kick off with Henry Ford and the Model T, but Ford played a big role in changing the landscape of manufacturing forever.
By Yara Simón
Everyone knows what a sandwich is. Most may even know how the snack got its name. But did you know who invented it? That's a tougher question to answer.
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Primitive batteries date back a lot longer than you might guess. But when were scientists finally able to produce and store electricity and then use it to create a continuous, controllable current?
At one time, sharing files between computers meant carrying a box of punch cards from one machine to another. The Internet changed all that, but who's responsible for creating this network of networks?
The grocery bag you're carrying breaks, and the eggs inside splat across your driveway. Yep, unloading groceries can be tedious, but that's nothing compared to the days before refrigeration, so grab a cold beverage and learn who you have to thank.
Like so many other modern conveniences that we take for granted, the history of the elevator is more complicated than it may seem at first glance. Believe it or not, there's some controversy over who invented this commonplace contraption.
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More than two-thirds of U.S. households play video games, according to the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Without the crazy ideas of a few pioneering folks, we might still be stuck playing marathon sessions of charades. So who do we have to thank?
We take X-rays so much for granted. We get them at the dentist's office and watch them while clearing luggage through security at the airport. But did you know they were discovered by accident?
By Josh Briggs
The ancient Chinese brought us many great innovations, including some that we take for granted in the modern world. Let's examine 10 of ancient China's greatest inventions.
By Josh Clark & Sascha Bos
Explore the ingenuity of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, a machine that transformed cotton processing, reshaped industries and influenced economies.
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Learn how the invention of the world's first motorcycle in the 19th century shaped the future of mobility and revolutionized two-wheeled transportation.
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is responsible for the first photo ever taken. Almost lost to time, the image used a process called heliography.
By Yara Simón
The flying shuttle was a transformative invention during the Industrial Revolution. Learn more about the device that revolutionized the weaving process.
Explore the mechanics and inner workings of the internal combustion engine, an innovation of the Industrial Revolution that transformed transportation.
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The phonograph transformed audio recording, leaving a lasting impact on how we capture and preserve sound. Learn about the invention's history and evolution.
The pneumatic tire revolutionized transportation and a number of other industries that rely on air-cushioned rubber tires.
Invented in 1824, Portland cement remains prominent in modern construction. Learn about the hydraulic binder's raw materials and applications.
The power loom was one of the most significant inventions of the Industrial Revolution. Learn more about the mechanized device that transformed the textile industry.
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The spinning jenny revolutionized the process of spinning yarn during the Industrial Revolution. Read on to learn about its impact on textile production.
The spinning mule shaped the textile industry and society as a whole during the Industrial Revolution. Read on to learn about the groundbreaking invention.