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First Steam Engine
Thomas Newcomen invented the first steam engine in 1712. Although it wasn't very efficient yet, the steam engine evolved and soon became the driving force behind many achievments of the industrial revolution. -
Spinning Jenny
The spinning jenny was invented by a weaver named James Hagreaves. This invention was the first to improve upon the traditional spinning wheel, allowing multiple balls of yarn to be thread at once. It was the first of many cotton related inventions that helped spark England's booming cotton industry. -
Steam Locomotive
The first steam engine powered locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick. The steam locomotive provided a more efficient way to transport products created by the booming industry in Europe in the early 1800's.This meant that more weight could be transported more cheaply and much faster than ever possible before. -
Telegraph
Samuel Morse invented the telegraph in 1844. This was the first method of transporting messages almost instantly over distances. The telegraph used series of electrical pulses to transmit messages in Morse Code down electrical wires from point A to point B. These pulses could be translated from Morse Code into English and other languages. -
Daguerreotype Process
Louis Daguerre was the inventor of the Daguerreotype Process. This was the precursor to modern photography. Although the first Daguerrotype was made in 1937, the invention was not perfected yet, so it was not released until 1939. The process, however, was extremely arduous and involved the use of many harmful chemicals like mercury. -
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell (supposedly) invented the first telephone. Although who the actual inventor was remains disputed, Bell is credited because he was first to patent it. Like the telegraph, the telephone is a device that allows the transmission of messages over long distances, However, the telephone transmits actual sounds rather than just electrical pulses. -
Electric Light Bulb
Once again, the identity of the actual creator of the light bulb is highly debated, but since Thomas Edison's design was more efficient than others', he is often credited. The electric light bulb created a cheap, effective way of lighting buildings without candles. Still today the light bulb is the best option for artificial light and can be observed nearly everywhere electricity is readily available. -
First Human Vaccination
Louis Pasteur, who also came up with the germ theory, was the first to successfully use a vaccine on a human. Since 1870, Pasteur had been studying vaccination when he accidentally stubled upon it when he infected chickens with an old, weak sample of bacteria. He continued to study the theory until a young boy who had been mauled by a rabid dog came to him in 1885. Pasteur decided to try his vaccine on the boy. It worked, and he was credited with the first use of vaccination. -
Airplane
Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered airplane flight in December of 1903. Their plane was the beginning of modern air travel. It was the starting point for what is now the fastest and most efficient way to travel long distances. -
Ford Model T
Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company, invented the Model T in 1908. This was the first widely affordable automobile ever made. This was because of Ford's pioneering of the assembly line, a method of production that was both fast and cost effective. At one point, more than 50% of the cars in the world were Model T's, a record that has not been broken since.
