1800s Inventions

Steam Engine

Feb 9, 1769

James Watt
New York
The steam engine allowed for new means of shipping and travel. Animal power was no longer needed. The steam engine is not still being used, but it was the original model for new trains today.

Steamboat

Feb 9, 1809

Robert Fulton
Pennsylvania
The steamboat allowed for travel back up rivers. Before this, boats could only flow down. Steamboat is still used today, but there are more ecologically friendly versions

Railroads

Oct 7, 1826

South Carolina Canals & Railroads
Quincy, Massachusetts
Americans were now able to travel across the country faster. It provided an easier mode of transportation. Railroads are still being used today all across the country.

Erie Canal

Feb 8, 1830

Became most popular 1825-1830
The Erie Canal provided new transportation for Americans. It was also used for shipping, Goods could be moved around the country faster. This is still being used today, but it is mostly for tourism.

Mechanical Reaper

Jul 8, 1831

Cyrus McCormick
Rockbridge County, Virginia
This invention allowed for faster and easier harvest. More crops could be picked in a shorter amount of time. This invention is still being used in Amish country, and there are newer, more moderinzed versions.

Steel Plow

Feb 8, 1837

John Deere
Grande Detour, Illinois
This invention made farming easier. It worked better than other plows and needed less animal power. This invention is not still being used, but it was an archetype for many other farming tools today.

Telegraph

Jun 10, 1840

Samuel Morse
Baltimore, Maryland
The telegraph, once it became popular, made communications between Americans easier. While the actual invention itself is not still being used today, things based off it are still being used, like the telephone.

Morse Code

Jun 20, 1840

Samuel Morse
Baltimore, Maryland
More code was a new form of communicaiton for Americans. Once the telegrpah became more widespread, morse code signaling became more popular. Original Morse Code, and new forms of it are still being used today. It is most popular in the armed forces.

Vulcanized Rubber

Jun 15, 1844

Charles Goodyear
Springfeild, Massachusetts
Vulcanized Rubber was originally used on combat boots and the soles of shoes. Tires were then made out of this new material. Today, it is still being used in all of the things listed above.

Sewing Machine

Sep 10, 1846

Elias Howe
New Hartford, Connecticut
This invention allowed clothes to be stiched faster. Hand stiching was no longer required. This invention is still being used, but there are more modernized versions.