Famous Inventions of the

Industrial Revolution

And why they are importan

 Revolution

• What does revolution mean?

 Revolution

• What does revolution mean?

• Revolution means dramatic, rapid change. (In this

context).
 Revolution

• THIS
 Revolution
• TO THIS
 Revolution
• OR THIS
 Revolution
• TO THIS
 Industrial Revolution
• Time of unprecedented invention and
innovation in Europe and America.

• Lasted from mid-1700’s -1900 in Europe and

from about 1840’s – 1910’s in America.

• Created enormous economic growth as well as

terrible pollution and social problems.
Why is invention/innovation
important?
 Why is invention/innovation
important?
• Brings about new tools and machines

• Manufactures products quicker

• Helps economic growth

• Provides employment
 Difference between
invention/innovation

• Invention: Creating brand new machines or

devices that improve the human condition.

• Innovation: Taking existing ideas/machines

and improving them.
 Difference between
invention/innovation

• Invention
 Difference between
invention/innovation
• Innovation:
 Patents/Copyrights
• Patent: a certificate from the government that
proves you own the rights to your invention.

• Copyright: as above, but for a creative work,

such as a song, book or painting.
 James Watt
STEAM ENGINE YEAR: 1775
• Steam power can move very
heavy weights.

• It can drive wheels and

shafts in mills.

• It can turn propellers in

ships and wheels on trains
and cars…
 Eli Whitney
Cotton Gin, Interchangeable
Musket Parts 1793,1798

• Cotton Gin automated • Interchangeable parts

cotton picking process streamlined and improved
manufacturing.
 Robert Fulton
Steamboat Service on Hudson
River YEAR: 1807
• Service improved
communication.

• Showed that ships with

steam engines were
feasible.

• Paved the way for larger,

sea-going ships.
 Robert Stephenson
Invented Steam Locomotive Year 1826-29
• Forerunner of modern
locomotives.

• Used steam power.

• Went about 30 miles per

hour, which was
groundbreaking for its time.
 The “Rocket”

• Full size replica

 Samuel F. B. Morse
Invented Telegraph YEAR: 1836
• Made instantaneous, long
range communication
possible.

• System of wires stretched

hundreds of miles.

• “More Code” was a special

language used
Transcontinental Telegraph
 Elias Howe
Invented Sewing Machine YEAR: 1844
• Enabled textiles to be
manufactured quickly.

• Led to a boom in the textile

industry.

• Improved quality and

lowered price of clothing.
 Cyrus Field
Transatlantic cable YEAR: 1866
• Cable allowed
instantaneous
communication between
Europe and America.

• Used telegraph technology

in cable on sea bed.

• Took many attempts for it

too work properly
Submarine Cables Today
Alexander Graham Bell
Invented Telephone YEAR: 1876

• Allowed for instantaneous

communication between
individuals from their own
homes.

• Rapidly increased the flow

of information between
businesses.
 Thomas Edison
Invented Phonograph 1877
• Phonograph enabled
sounds to be recorded and
played back.

• Led to records, magnetic

audio tapes and eventually
CD’s
 Thomas Edison
Incandescent Light Bulb 1879
• Made oil lamps obsolete.

• Enabled lighting at night in

homes, streets and public
areas.

• Imagine life without them!!!

 Nikola Tesla
Induction Electric Motor YEAR: 1888
• Made electricity a
commercially available
power source.

• Used to power lighting and

machinery.

• Revolutionized quality of life

for people everywhere.
 Rudolf Diesel
Invented Diesel Engine YEAR: 1892

• First engine to use

petroleum as a fuel.

• Small, portable engine for a

multitude of tasks.

• Used to drive vehicles

• Enabled the invention of

the motor car
 Orville and Wilbur Wright
First Airplane YEAR: 1903
• The importance of aircraft
cannot be overstated.

• Enabled travel between

continents that previously
had to be achieved by ship.

• Enabled more people to

travel to more places than
ever before.
 Henry Ford
Model T Ford YEAR: 1909
• First car to be mass
produced.

• Made cars accessible to

average American workers.

• Led to a boom in industry of

car related products and
services.
 Henry Ford
Assembly Line YEAR: 1913
• Standardized production
techniques .

• Allowed for high quality,

rapid production.

• Became the model for all

industries everywhere.
 Why is this important?
• These inventors and inventions powered the enormous
American economic expansion that made America the world’s
largest economy.

• During the 20th century, this power drove America to great

heights of prestige and world influence.

• In addition, these inventions improved the quality of life for

hundreds of millions of people across the globe. Areas such as
communication, transport and manufacturing were
transformed.