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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We've all seen TV ads for products that were just completely silly, but then became overnight sensations. Which ones made our list?

By Jonathan Strickland

The Incan empire had a highly developed organizational system and a near limitless workforce that helped create a culture of wonders. So what are some of their inventions that we know about today?

By Michael Franco

The Aztecs, often associated with warfare and elaborate rituals, gave birth to a sophisticated system of government, remarkable artistic endeavors and a resilient language. Let's dive deeper into their remarkable contributions.

By Michael Franco & Desiree Bowie

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The men and women of NASA are an ingenious bunch, and they're not just inventing amazing things for space. Which inventions have changed our lives here on Earth?

By Patrick J. Kiger & Marianne Spoon

You're sure you have it in you to think of an invention, but you're not sure how to do it. Get some tips here on how to think of an invention.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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

Five metallic balls on slender threads sit side by side. As one on the end hits the rest, the one on the opposite end rises and falls. Why don't the balls in the middle move? It's complicated.

By Chris Schulz

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The Hybrid Sports Bike, still in its prototype stage, is a three-in-one: a pedal-powered bicycle souped-up with both a gas engine and an electric motor. But how could a gas-powered bike be environmentally friendly?

By Julia Layton

The heyday for Morse code is primarily over, but this communication method using dots and dashes still has its place in our digital world.

By Mark Mancini

Explore the ingenuity of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, a machine that transformed cotton processing, reshaped industries and influenced economies.

By Desiree Bowie

Learn how the invention of the world's first motorcycle in the 19th century shaped the future of mobility and revolutionized two-wheeled transportation.

By Desiree Bowie

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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.

By Reina Belardes

Explore the mechanics and inner workings of the internal combustion engine, an innovation of the Industrial Revolution that transformed transportation.

By Desiree Bowie

The phonograph transformed audio recording, leaving a lasting impact on how we capture and preserve sound. Learn about the invention's history and evolution.

By Desiree Bowie

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The pneumatic tire revolutionized transportation and a number of other industries that rely on air-cushioned rubber tires.

By Nicole Antonio

Invented in 1824, Portland cement remains prominent in modern construction. Learn about the hydraulic binder's raw materials and applications.

By Nicole Antonio

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.

By Reina Belardes

The spinning jenny revolutionized the process of spinning yarn during the Industrial Revolution. Read on to learn about its impact on textile production.

By Reina Belardes

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The spinning mule shaped the textile industry and society as a whole during the Industrial Revolution. Read on to learn about the groundbreaking invention.

By Reina Belardes

The telegraph was a groundbreaking invention that transformed communication in the 19th century. Explore its impact on news media and global connectivity.

By Yara Simón

The water frame was a revolutionary textile machine that mechanized spinning, transforming the cotton industry and driving industrialization.

By Desiree Bowie

Steamships quickly replaced sails in the early 1800s. Learn more about the origins of steamships and the innovations that led to their creation.

By Yara Simón

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James Watt’s steam engine propelled the world forward. Learn about the Watt steam engine’s impact and the innovations that helped make it possible.

By Yara Simón

As the result of a happy accident, scientists have created a sustainable paint that's lighter, longer-lasting and more cooling than traditional paint.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.