Revolutionary Inventors

Jethro Tull

1701

Jethro Tull invented the seed drill in 1701. It was used for planting seeds more efficiently by making holes then placing the seeds in them.

Abraham Darby

1708

Abraham Darby invented sand casting in 1708. Sand casting is a casting process in which you use sand as the molding material.

Thomas Newcomen

1712

Thomas Newcomen Invented the Steam engine in 1712. A steam engine was used to power pumps, locomotives, steam ships, traction engines, steam lorries and other road vehicles.

John Kay

1733

John Kay invented the flying shuttle in 1733. It allowed a single weaver to weave much wider fabrics, and was also used in machine looms.

Richard Arkwright

1769

RIchard Arkwright invented the water frame in 1769. It mass produced strong yarn and reduced the need to spin cotton by hand.

James Hargreaves

1770

James Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny in 1770. It allowed 8 threads to be spun at once instead of just 1.

Samuel Crompton

1779

Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule in 1779. The spinning mule allowed you to make mass amounts of yarn at one time.

Henry Cort

1784

Henry Cort invented the puddling process in 1784. The puddling process is used to convert pig iron into wrought iron by subjecting it to heat.

Edmund Cartwright

1790

In 1790 Edmund Cartwright invented the wool combing machine. It is used to arrange and lay parallel by length the fibers of wool, prior to further treatment.

Eli Whitney

1793

Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin in 1793, it was used to quickly remove seeds from cotton fibers.

Alessandro Volta

1800

In 1800 Alessandro Volta created the first battery ever made. Its purpose was to conduct energy.

Elias Howe

1846

Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in 1846, its purpose is to connect pieces of fabric together with thread. It is still widely used today.