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Invention of the Steam Engine
The invention of the steam engine by Thomas Savery from Britain started a new way to get power. The steam engine increased productivity in factories and evolved transportation. James Watt later improved the efficiency of the steam engine. -
Invention of the Spinning Jenny
James Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny as an improvement on the spinning wheel. This improvement was necessary because as weaving looms became faster, spinners needed a way to keep up. The spinning jenny made that possible. -
Invention of the Steam Locomotive
George Stephenson created the first successful steam locomotive to transport heavy items long distances. Locomotives were much stronger than other means of travel so they could haul large amounts of coal and steel. This invention made it easy to have resources all around the country. -
Invention of the Telegraph
The telegraph made long-distance communication much easier and much more accessible. It was invented by Samuel Morse and a few others. To use it, one had to know patterns to send the electrical signals. This was called Morse Code. Telegraph lines were laid across the US and the ocean to Europe. -
The Invention of the Sewing Machine
Elias Howe invented the sewing machine to increase speed of sewing and decrease allowance of errors. This was very influential in the textile revolution, and sewing machines, although very much improved, are still used widely today. -
Invention of the Telephone
The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell revolutionized quick long-distance communication. Although the telegraph was already around, the telephone allowed transmission of the voice and therefore made communication much easier. -
Invention of the Lightbulb
Thomas Edison didn't invent the lightbulb, but in 1879 he took a 50 year old idea and improved on it so that the lightbulb could be used, and used cheaply. This eliminated the need for candles, which made it safer and more practical. -
Invention of the Airplane
The airplane was invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright and simplified long distance travel. Now ships were no longer relied on as much, and this also meant things and people could move more efficiently, safely, and quickly. -
Invention of the Automobile
Henry Ford built the first car in 1908 for both essential transportation and as a luxury item for the wealthy. This invention became the Motor Age. Over time, the car became more and more accessible for the common man and soon everyone had them. -
Invention of the Assembly Line
Henry Ford invented the assembly line to make building cars more efficient. This led many other factories to use the assembly line. It increased production so that more products were made in less time and workers had shorter hours.