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Alessandro Volta's Electric Battery
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It was called the “voltaic pile”. It produced a steady source of electric current for the first time, which allowed for research of electromagnetism and practical use of electricity. Other inventors made improvement to Volta’s design and used the battery to further discovery and technology. Without Volta’s invention, technology would not be what it is today. Volta’s battery was a crucial invention in the development of our technology-based civilization. -
Richard Trevithick introduces his “Puffing Devil”
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Trevithick invented the first steam-powered passenger vehicle. He used “strong steam”– steam at a very high pressure, which enabled him to build an engine small enough to fit in his “puffer” car. They were more dangerous but extremely versatile. They could be put to work in mines, on farms, in factories, on ships and in locomotives of all kinds. -
Louisiana Purchase
Video
The U.S. bought 530 million acres of territory, which was all or part of 15 modern U.S. states between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains for $15 million from France. There were no provisions in the Constitution allowing Jefferson to purchase territory. But with the support and value of the purchase, he decided to continue. This contributed to the principle of implied powers of federal government. -
Richard Trevithick Steam Engine
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Trevithick produced the steam engine to run successfully on rails, which he believed would be more effective than horse drawn wagons pulling the heavy loads of coal and iron to and from mines. His inventions were a bit ahead of their time because the cast-iron rails were not strong enough to support the weight and kept breaking. It was several years before steam locomotion became commercially viable.He is considered to be one of the most important figures in the Industrial Age. -
Commonwealth v. Pullis Trial
[Source]( http://law.jrank.org/pages/2411/Philadelphia-Cordwainers-Trial-1806.html)
Shoe and boot makers formed a strike to fight working for less than standard wages. Because of the tactics used by some of the members eight leaders were brought to trial.Many trials after this one gradually began establishing the rights of laboring people to form associations. This is considered one of the most important trials because it was the first step towards forming unions. -
Period: to
Commonwealth v. Pullis Trial
The in-court trial and verdict. -
Robert Fulton’s Steamboat ‘Clermont’
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This brought a new era of transportation. The Clermont was not the first steamboat that was built but it was the first practical both financially and commercially.After this Fulton moved on to contribute to naval warfare, the submarine, mine warfare, the design and construction of the first steam-powered warship, and to canal transportation which started with passenger service and later canal-based transportation, which made transport goods quicker and more efficient. -
Humphry Davy: Electrical Light
Presentation
He used the battery invented by Volta. He connected two wires from the battery to a strip of charcoal, which became electrically charged and started glowing. This began the discovery and invention of today’s light bulbs. -
American School for the Deaf
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It was called the "Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons," but today it is the American School for the Deaf. Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, LL.D. founded it. It was the first school of primary and secondary education to receive aid from the federal government when it was granted $300 thousand. Gallaudet was principal until 1830. His son followed in his legacy, establishing Gallaudet University.It holds a pivotal role in American Deaf History. -
George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1
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The first steam engine to carry passengers and freight, hauled its first train on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The S&DR was the first publically subscribed passenger railroad. -
Erie Canal
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The canal connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean through the Hudson River. Shipping was costly and delayed, there were no railroads and the drive from Buffalo to New York took two weeks. The effect of the canal was immediate and dramatic. People began pouring into western New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Goods were transported at one-tenth the previous cost and in less than half the time. In nine years, tolls paid back the cost of the construction. -
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: First Photograph
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He made a permanent image using camera obscura. He exposed coated pewter plates to a camera image then, used the vapors from heated iodine crystals to darken it and heighten the contrast. This led to many future jobs, ability to document and provide proof and added accountability in some ways.
The picture was taken sometime between June and July but the exact date is not known. -
William A. Burt’s Typographer
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It was a vital first step in the evolution of typewriters and keyboards.
It has lead to a better education, more publications, more jobs, more knowledge and more. -
Cyrus McCormick'a Mechanical Reaper
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This revolutionized farming. Before the reaper, it was a tedious process, done by hand with a scythe that limited a farm's harvest.The reaper cut, threshed and bundled grain while being pulled by horses.By 1851 it was an international sensation.McCormick was elected to the French Academy of Sciences, "as having done more for agriculture than any other living man." -
Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine
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This paved the way for computers, technology and life as we know it today. -
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Child Labor Laws
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In 1932 New England unions began to condemn child labor. By 1836 early trade unions formally and publically proposed state minimum age laws for factory work.Massachusetts set a requirement for children under the age of 15, working in factories to attend school at least three months out of the year. Around 1842 Massachusetts went further and adopted a limit to child workdays. This paved the way for more child labor laws and child rights -
Oberlin College
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It was the first school to admit black students at 1/3 population. The first black graduate was one of the founders of Howard University and the first black lawyer. -
John Deere's Steel Plow
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John Deere invented the steel plow when the Middle West was still settling. The soil was different than the East and wood plows kept breaking.The steel plow was the first step to making farm equipment that we know today.
Deere moved on to change the famring and agriculutre worl even till today with the name brand. -
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First Opium War
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The Opium War marked a change in relations between China and the West. Foreign trade ports were opened as a result. The conflict marked the start of the era of ‘unequal treaties’ helped weaken the Qing dynasty. -
Sir Rowland Hill’s First Postage Stamp (England)
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Before, letters were folded and sealed and the addressee would pay. Rates were high and many refused to accept letters. They began using secret codes on the outside of letters. For this reason, postal services turned to prepaying.
The Penny Black and Two-penny Blue did not show a country of origin because they were the first stamps. Today British stamps still do not.
In 1847, the USPS printed its first stamps. -
Samuel Morse invents the Telegraph
Video
He also created Morse code; an alphabet of electronic dots and dashes. The system made communication across the country faster than ever before.
The telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication and had a great economic effect; people were able to “wire” money. -
American Medical Association
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At the first meeting, the first code of ethics was adopted and the standards for medical education were established.
AMA has promoted scientific advancement and improved public health. Its history has had an important role the institution and its members have played a vital role in the development of medicine in the U.S. -
California Gold Rush
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The Gold Rush undoubtedly sped up California’s population and its admission to the Union as the 31st state. -
First Women’s Rights Convention
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott lead the convention. Over 300 men and women came to Seneca Falls to protest the mistreatment of women in social, economic, political, and religious life.
The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions issued by the Convention demanded that women be granted all rights and privileges that men possessed, including the right to vote.
68 women and 32 men signed the declaration of sentiment
