Electrical Inventions

Electricity isn’t just used to make lights

Word box
work and kettles boil. Many wonderful
and unusual inventions use it too. invention

The electrically heated jacket

1 Discuss whether
In 1932, the traffic police in America you think it is
had a problem. They had to stand dangerous to
outside for a long time wear a jacket
in the cold weather. So connected to an
they made an electrically electricity supply.
heated vest!
There were points in the street where the police
officers could connect their vests to an electricity
supply and warm themselves up.

The Baker electric car

In 1909 Walter Baker invented an
electric car. The car was powered
by batteries and could travel
160 kilometres at up to 40 km per
hour before it needed recharging.

2 Discuss any advantages

or disadvantages of an
electric car with your Over 100 years later, electric cars are
group. now common all over the world.

4
 Electricity

The smart wheel for bikes

This recent invention makes cycling
much easier! The rear wheel of a
bicycle is replaced by an electric
wheel. This is good news for people
who have to cycle up hills.

Design a new electrical appliance that would make life

easier for you.
1 Draw and label your new appliance.
2 Write a sentence to describe what it does.

3 Discuss with your

group the parts
of this toaster you
think might still be
used on modern 100 years ago toast would not pop up
when it was ready. The first automatic
toasters.
toaster was not invented until 1919.

Some people think that electricity is the greatest discovery

of all time.
1 Why do you think they think that? Do you agree? Discuss
your ideas with your group.
2 How many reasons can you think of? Make a list.
3 Think of another great discovery.