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Spinning Jenny
The spinning jenny was invented by Elais Howe. It was used to sew and make clothes. This early model of the sewing machine increased the clothing industry and the need for cotton. -
Steam Engine
The steam engine was invented by Thoms Savery and was used for many industrial purposes. It helped increase western settlement and factory development. -
Factory Systems
This was invented by Samuel Slater. Factorys were used to produce big quantaties of goods very quickly, with little effort. This led to many people moving into the cities, where the factories were located and it increased job oppurtunities and the demand for clothing. -
Cottin Gin
The cotton gin was invened by Eli Whitney. It was used to pull seeds out of cotton and clean it. The cotton gin played a major role in the expanding of slavery. It also helped increase the production of cotton. -
Interchangable Parts
These were invented by Eli Whitney. He made a machine that cut metal objects in an identical pattern. This led to the start of mass production. Production became faster, and the need for skilled labor decreased. -
National Roads
This was Albert Gallatin's idea. This road stretched form Maryland to Virginia and provided a quick, easy way of transportation. This road helped settle new areas. -
Steamboats
The steamboat was invented by Robert Fulton, and it made getting to the frontier and instituting trade with settlers much easier. Now, over 200steamboats are sailing these routes and taking passangers and cargodown the Ohio and into the Mississippi. -
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal was Dewitt Clinton's idea. This canal linked New York City with Buffalo. It opened up the northern, unsettled region, helped develop many small companies and helped create a strong bond within the country. -
Textile/ Lowell Mills
These were invented by Frances Lowell. They were used to make finished cloth and clothes. These mills increased job oppurtunities for young women, and helped drive people into the cities, where the mills were located. -
Steel Plow
The steel plow was invented by John Deere. This new, stronger plow allowed farmers to turn heavy sod easily. This made farming less physically demanding. During the Civil War, even women and children could care for their farms because of this. -
Telegraph
The telegraph was invented by Samuel Morse, the same man who created Morse Code. The telegraph was used to make communication easier and it also connected regions of the country. This soon led to the invention of the telephone. -
Sewing Machine
This was invented by Elias Howe, the same person who invented the Spinning Jenny. This is a more modern model of the Spinning Jenny. It is also used to make cloth as well as clothes. The sewing machine increased the clothing industry and the demand for cotton quickly increased. -
Transcontinental Railroad
George Stephenson was the person who invented the transcontinental railroad. This was the first railroad to connect the coasts of the U.S. It helped people get where they needed to be more quickly and was able to provide faster and cheaper transportation of goods. It also helped establish the nation's economic future by quickly populating the west, which led to the later building of the interstate highway.
