These men were of great importance to the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. They improved upon the Industrial Process by inventing and discovering new technologies that would speed up life as they knew it.
1. Thomas Edison- “The Wizard at Menlo Park”
“Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration."
Thomas Edison and his workshop patented 1,093 inventions. Included in this were the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and the motion picture. He was the most famous inventor of his time and his inventions had a huge impact on America's growth and history. One of the main reasons for his success was that he incorporated mass production into the process of invention. This would later evolve into an industrial research laboratory named Menlo Park. He pioneered electricity and not only the invention of the incandescent light bulb. He was the first to open a power plant and had the vision to distribute electricity throughout people’s homes and businesses.
2. Samuel F. B. Morse
Samuel Morse invented the telegraph which greatly increased the ability of information to move from one location to another. Along with the creation of the telegraph, he invented Morse code, which is still learned and used today. His inventions were vital to industries that needed to effectively transfer communications. In 1845 the Magnetic Telegraph Company was formed in order to radiate telegraph lines across the country.
3. Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. This invention allowed communication to extend to individuals. Before the telephone businesses had to rely on the telegraph. His work with the deaf inspire much of his inventive work, he even tutored Helen Keller. His invention of the telephone gave birth to a new industry. He created the Bell Telephone company in 1877 and by 1886 over 150,00 people owned telephones and needed service. On Jan. 25th 1876 Bell made the first transcontinental telephone call, from New York to San Francisco. He also invented the metal detector in 1881 and may have been the first to invent a primitive form of air conditioning.
4. Elias Howe/Isaac Singer
Elias Hower and Isaac Singer both were involved in the invention of the sewing machine. This revolutionized the garment industry and made the Singer Corporation one of the first modern industries.
5. Cyrus McCormick
Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper which made the harvesting of grain more efficient and faster. This helped farmers have more time to devote to other chores.
6. George Eastman
George Eastman invented the Kodak camera and founded The Eastman Kodak Company This inexpensive box camera allowed individual to take black and white pictures to preserve their memories and historical events. This is very nicely illustrated in the first chapter of “They Say”. When the camera craze spread onto the scene, he transferred his efforts into making file. This proved his keen business sense, allowing him to provide film that every brand camera needed. He turned his competitors into business partners.
7. Charles Goodyear
Charles Goodyear was the first American to vulcanize rubber. This technique allowed rubber to have many more uses due to its ability to stand up to bad weather. Interestingly, many believe the technique was found by mistake. Rubber became important in industry as it could withstand large amounts of pressure.
8. Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla invented many important items including fluorescent lighting and the alternating current (AC) electrical power system. He also is credited with inventing the radio. The Tesla Coil is used in many items today including the modern radio and television.
9. George Westinghouse
George Westinghouse held the patent to many important inventions. Two of his most important inventions were the transformer which allowed electricity to be sent over long distances and the air brake. The latter invention allowed conductors to have the ability to stop a train. Previous to the invention, each car had its own brakeman who manually put on the brakes for that car.
10. Dr. Richard Gatling
Dr. Richard Gatling invented a rudimentary machine gun that was used to a limited degree by the Union in the Civil War. However, they were used extensively in the Spanish-American War.
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