MAJOR INVENTIONS

Second US Industrial Revolution: Technical Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, refers to
the period in United States history that covered important inventions in the latter half of
the 19th century until 1914 and World War I. The Bessemer Process moved the nation
from the Industrial Age of Iron into the Age of Steel and into the Second Industrial
Revolution. New Innovations and Technologies moved on replacing steam power with
electric power. The discovery of oil and the production of petrol accelerated the
Industrialization of America. Inventions of the Second Industrial Revolution included the
Steel Mills, Refrigerator, Electric Light, Typewriter, Phonograph, Radio, Roller Coaster,
Washing Machine, Skyscrapers, Elevator, Motion Pictures, Automobile, Telephone,
Diesel Engine and the Airplane. Learn about the Inventions of the Second Industrial
Revolution.

Second US Industrial Revolution List of Inventions and Technology

The Bessemer Process ● Carbon Arc Lamp ● Steel Mills ● Refrigerator ● Electric Light
● Typewriter ● Washing Machine ● Bicycles ● The Camera ● Ferris Wheel ●
Skyscrapers ● Elevator ● The Radio ● The Telephone ● The Phonograph ● Motion
Pictures ● Roller Coaster ● Automobile ● Diesel Engine ● The Airplane

US Industrial Revolution: 1855: Steel Mills and the Bessemer Process

During the US Industrial Revolution an important technological advancement was made
in 1855 when Henry Bessemer invented a process to create steel from iron which
produced steel cheaply and efficiently. The Bessemer Process was an extremely
important invention because it helped made stronger rails for railroads and helped to
make stronger metal machines and structures like skyscrapers. The impact of the
Bessemer process led to the inventions and innovations of the Second Industrial
Revolution in the late 1800's.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1855: The Singer Sewing Machine

In 1855 inventor Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine motor and his practical
design could be adapted for home use.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1858: The Washing Machine

In 1858 inventor Hamilton Smith patented the first rotary washing machine.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1861: The Elevator

In 1853, American inventor Elisha Otis established a company for manufacturing
elevators and patented a steam elevator in 1861. His brakes made skyscrapers a
practical reality.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1867: The Typewriter

In 1867 Christopher Scholes invented the first practical and modern typewriter during
the Second Industrial Revolution.
US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1873: Barbed Wire
In 1873 Joseph Glidden invented barbed wire. Barbed wire fencing changed farming
and ranching and contributed to the end of the Cowboys of the Old West and the period
in U.S. history known as the Wild West.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1876: The Telephone

In March 1876 Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone revolutionizing
communication systems.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1877: The Phonograph

In 1877 Thomas Alva Edison invented the cylinder phonograph, or tin foil phonograph.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1879: The Electric Light

In 1879 Thomas Edison (1847-1931) filed for a US patent for an electric lamp using "a
carbon filament or strip coiled and connected ... to platina contact wires."

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1881: The Camera

In 1881 David Houston patented the roll film for cameras and in 1884 George Eastman
patented paper-strip photographic film. He established the Eastman Kodak Company in
1892.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1883: Arc Lights

During the Industrial Revolution oil lamps and gas lamps in large areas were replaced
by the Carbon Arc Lamp. Carbon Arc Lamps were used on the Brooklyn Bridge, one of
the wonders of the Industrial Revolution that was opened in 1883 and heralded as one
of the greatest engineering feats of all time. Lighting methods using electricity and
incandescent lamps were an important feature of the Second Industrial Revolution.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1884: The Skyscrapers

The Home Insurance Building was the First Skyscraper built in 1884 and was designed
by architect William Le Baron Jenney who utilized a steel frame for its construction. In
1889 - George Fuller (1851-1900) built the second skyscraper, the Tacoma Building in
New York, during 1889 using Bessemer steel beams.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1886: The Daimler Automobile

During the Industrial Revolution the automobile was invented.  In 1886 Gottlieb Daimler
builds the world’s first four-wheeled motor vehicle.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1891: The Escalator

In 1891 Jesse W. Reno invented the escalator that made skyscrapers to be built even
higher..

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1892: The Diesel Engine

In 1892 Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel-fueled internal combustion engine. In 1898
Rudolf Diesel received a patent for an “internal combustion engine” he called the Diesel
engine.
US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1893: The Ferris Wheel
The Ferris Wheel Invention was an engineering marvel designed by American engineer,
George Ferris for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1898: The Roller Coaster

In 1898 Edwin Prescott patented the roller coaster in America. The “Loop-the-Loop”
roller coaster carried only four riders and proved a great success in Coney Island, New
York.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1895: Motion Pictures

During the Industrial Revolution the Lumiere Brothers invent a portable motion-picture
camera, film processing unit and projector called the Cinematographe in 1895. The
Lumiere Brothers used their Cinematographe to present the first projected motion
picture to an audience of more that one person. Refer to Hollywood in the 1920s.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1896: The Radio

In 1896 the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi sent and received Morse code-based
radio signals at distances spanning nearly 4 miles. The same year, Marconi got the first
patent in wireless telegraphy
in England. In 1897 Serbian-
American NikolaTesla invented the induction coil or Tesla coil, a device essential to
sending and receiving radio waves and applied for his first patents in radio work in the
United States. 1920's Radio and Advertising.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1898: The Roller Coaster

In 1898 Edwin Prescott patented the first roller coaster.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1899: The Vacuum Cleaner

In 1899 John Thurman patents the motor-driven vacuum cleaner.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1900: The Zeppelin Airship

In 1900 the Zeppelin Airship was invented by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1903: The Airplane

In 1853 George Cayley invented the first manned glider but in December 1903 the
Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, invent the first plane that is not powered by
wind. Orville Wright flew the gas motored plane for 12 seconds over a beach in North
Carolina. His invention revolutionized transportation systems.

1905 - Electric Iron: Timeline: The first lightweight electric iron was invented by
American businessman Earl Richardson in 1905. His design made the iron with more
heat in the point - he called his new company Hotpoint which he founded founded in
1911.

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1906: Gasoline-powered tractors

In 1906 Benjamin Holt developed gasoline-powered tractors
1907 - Washing Machine: Timeline: The first electric washing machine sold
commercially in the United States was the Thor washing machine, produced by Hurley
Electric Laundry Equipment Company in 1907. The Thor washing machine was
designed by Hurley engineer Alva J. Fisher, a patent for the new electric washing
machine was issued on August 9, 1910. The Thor electric washing machine was mass
marketed throughout America in 1908. US electric washing machine sales reached
913,000 units in 1928

1907 - Radio Amplifier: Timeline: The Radio amplifier was invented by Lee DeForest

US Industrial Revolution Inventions: 1908: The Ford Automobile

In October 1908 Henry Ford created the Model T. His automobile was much cheaper
than other cars because it was made on an Assembly Line using mass production. The
Model T revolutionized transportation, allowing many more Americans to buy cars.

1907 - Vacuum Cleaner: Timeline: Janitor James Spangler invented his "electric
suction-sweeper," the first practical domestic vacuum cleaner in 1907 and sold the
rights the following year to a relative, William Hoover.

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 5: 1908 - Model T Automobile: Timeline: The Model T
automobile was created by Henry Ford   - refer to Henry Ford and the Model T

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 1: 1909 - Electric Toaster: Timeline: An employee of

General Electric, Frank Shailor, invented the first commercially successful electric
toaster in 1909

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 6: 1912 - Electric Blanket: Timeline: The first practical
electric blanket was invented in 1912 by American physician Sidney I. Russell.

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 7: 1913 - The Assembly Line: Timeline: The Assembly
Line as first fully adopted by Henry Ford in 1913 when he installed the first moving
assembly line to produce the famous Ford Model T

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 8: 1913 - The Radio: Timeline: Italian inventor Guglielmo
Marconi succeeded in the first radio broadcast in 1900. The US Radio Industry began
in 1913 when American engineer, Edwin Armstrong, invented a special circuit that
made long-range radio transmission of voice and music practical.  1920's Radio and
Advertising

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 9: 1913 - Refrigerator: Timeline: The first refrigerator for
home use were invented by American inventor Fred W. Wolf in 1913. In 1923 Frigidaire
introduced the first self-contained unit expanding the market and introducing Americans
to domestic refrigerators and freezers for food storage.

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 10: 1913 - Electric Dishwasher: Timeline: The first
electric dishwasher was invented by the Walker brothers in 1913. The first small
dishwasher suitable for domestic use was invented by inventor William Howard Livens
in 1924.

Inventions in the 1920's Fact 11: 1917 - Guided Missile: Timeline: American inventor
Elmer Sperry built the first aerial torpedo in 1917, which became the first successful
guided missile. Refer to Early US Aviation

Inventors Timeline Fact 30: 1869 - George Westinghouse - George Westinghouse

Invented the air brake system

Inventors Timeline Fact 31: 1873 - Levi Strauss - Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis co-invented
denhim jeans

Inventors Timeline Fact 32: 1873

- Joseph Glidden - Joseph Glidden and the invention of barbed wire

Inventors Timeline Fact 33: 1876 -  Alexander Graham Bell - Alexander Graham Bell
was the inventor of the telephone

Inventors Timeline Fact 34: 1876 - Carl von Linde - Carl von Linde invents the refrigerator

Inventors Timeline Fact 35: 1876 - Nicholaus Otto - Nicholaus Otto invents the Internal
Combustion Engine

Inventors Timeline Fact 36: 1877 - Thomas Alva Edison - Thomas Alva Edison invented the
cylinder phonograph and in 1879 develops the first practical electric light bulb

Inventors Timeline Fact 37: 1879 - Joseph Swan - Joseph Swan inventor of the electric
light bulb

Inventors Timeline Fact 38: 1879 - James Ritty - James Ritty invented the mechanical cash
register

Inventors Timeline Fact 39: 1880 - Walter Camp - Walter Camp invented the modern
sport of American football

Inventors Timeline Fact 40: 1882 - Schuyler Wheeler - Schuyler Skaats Wheeler invented the
first electric fan
Inventors Timeline Fact 41: 1884 -  William Le Baron Jenney - The Home Insurance
Building was the first skyscraper built, designed by architect William Le Baron Jenney -
The First Skyscraper

Inventors Timeline Fact 42: 1884 - George Eastman - George Eastman invents the first film in
roll form and then the Kodak camera in 1888

Inventors Timeline Fact 43: 1885 - Sylvanus F. Bowser - Sylvanus F. Bowser invented
the gasoline/petrol pump

Inventors Timeline Fact 44: 1887 - John Dunlop - John Dunlop invention of the pneumatic tire

Inventors Timeline Fact 45: 1887 - Charles Fey - Charles Fey invented the first "one-
armed bandit"

Inventors Timeline Fact 46: 1889 - George Fuller - George Fuller built the Tacoma Building
Skyscraper

Inventors Timeline Fact 47: 1889 - Daimler and Benz - Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz
First 4 Wheel Automobile

Inventors Timeline Fact 48: 1891 - Jesse W. Reno - Jesse W. Reno invented the escalator

Inventors Timeline Fact 49: 1892 - Rudolf Diesel - Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel-
fueled internal combustion engine called the Diesel engine

Inventors Timeline Fact 50: 1892 - John Froelich - John Froelich invented the first gasoline-
powered tractor

Inventors Timeline Fact 51: 1893 - George Ferris - George Ferris invents the Ferris
Wheel - Ferris Wheel Invention

Inventors Timeline Fact 52: 1895 - Guglielmo Marconi - Marconi invented of the first practical
radio signaling system - 1920's Radio and Advertising

Inventors Timeline Fact 53: 1897 - Nikola Tesla - Nikola Tesla invents the induction coil
or Tesla coil, a device essential to sending and receiving radio waves

Inventors Timeline Fact 54: 1898 - Edwin Prescott - Edwin Prescott patented the first roller
coaster

Inventors Timeline Fact 55: 1899 - Joshua Lionel Cowen - The flash-lamp was
invented by Joshua Lionel Cowen

Inventors Timeline Fact 56: 1900 - Count Ferdinand Zeppelin - Ferdinand Zeppelin invented
the first rigid dirigible (zeppelin) - Zeppelin Airship
Inventors Timeline Fact 57: 1901 - Ransom Olds - Ransom Olds inventor of the
assembly line for automobiles

Inventors Timeline Fact 58: 1902 - Willis Carrier - Willis Carrier invented the first mechanical air
conditioning unit

Inventors Timeline Fact 59: 1903 - Wright Brothers - Orville and Wilbur Wright first
powered, sustained, and controlled flight of an airplane - Wright Brothers

Inventors Timeline Fact 60: 1905 - Albert Einstein - Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity

Inventors Timeline Fact 61: 1907 - Leo Baekeland - Leo Baekeland invents Bakelite

Inventors Timeline Fact 62: 1907 - Paul Cornu - The Helicopter was invented by Paul Cornu

Inventors Timeline Fact 63: 1907 - Lee DeForest - The Radio amplifier was invented by
Lee DeForest

Inventors Timeline Fact 64: 1908 - Henry Ford - Henry Ford created the Model T car and in
1913 introduces mass production of automobiles

Inventors Timeline Fact 65: 1911 - Charles F. Kettering - Charles F. Kettering invented
the automobile self-starter used by the Cadillac company