1.

The Telephone The telephone is an instrument that converts voice and sound signals into electrical impulses for transmission by wire to a different location, where another telephone receives the electrical impulses and turns them back into recognizable sounds. In 1875, Alexander Graham Bell built the first telephone that transmitted electrically the human voice. 2. The History of ComputersThere are many major milestones in the history of computers, starting with 1936, when Konrad Zuse built the first freely programmable computer. 3. Television In 1884, Paul Nipkow sent images over wires using a rotating metal disk technology with 18 lines of resolution. Television then evolved along two paths, mechanical based on Nipkow's rotating disks, and electronic based on the cathode ray tube. American Charles Jenkins and Scotsman John Baird followed the mechanical model while Philo Farnsworth, working independently in San Francisco, and Russian migr Vladimir Zworkin, working for Westinghouse and later RCA, advanced the electronic model. 4. The AutomobileIn 1769, the very first self-propelled road vehicle was invented by French mechanic, Nicolas Joseph Cugnot. However, it was a steam-powered model. In 1885, Karl Benz designed and built the world's first practical automobile to be powered by an internal-combustion engine. In 1885, Gottlieb Daimler took the internal combustion engine a step further and patented what is generally recognized as the prototype of the modern gas engine and later built the world's first four-wheeled motor vehicle. 5. The Cotton Gin Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin on March 14, 1794. The cotton gin is a machine that separates seeds, hulls and other unwanted materials from cotton after it has been picked. 6. The CameraIn 1814, Joseph Nicphore Nipce created the first photographic image with a camera obscura, however, the image required eight hours of light exposure and later faded. Louis-JacquesMand Daguerre is considered the inventor of the first practical process of photography in 1837. 7. The Steam EngineThomas Savery was an English military engineer and inventor who in 1698, patented the first crude steam engine. Thomas Newcomen invented the atmospheric steam engine in 1712. James Watt improved Newcomen's design and invented what is considered the first modern steam engine in 1765. 8. The Sewing MachineThe first functional sewing machine was invented by the French tailor, Barthelemy Thimonnier, in 1830. In 1834, Walter Hunt built America's first (somewhat) successful sewing machine. Elias Howe patented the first lockstitch sewing machine in 1846. Isaac Singer invented the up-and-down motion mechanism. In 1857, James Gibbs patented the first chain-stitch single-thread sewing machine. Helen Augusta Blanchard patented the first zig-zag stitch machine in 1873. 9. The Light BulbContrary to popular belief, Thomas Alva Edison didn't "invent" the light bulb, but rather he improved upon a 50-year-old idea. In 1809, Humphry Davy, an English chemist, invented the first electric light. In 1878, Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, an English physicist, was the first person to invent a practical and longer-lasting electic lightbulb (13.5 hours) with a carbon fiber filament. In 1879, Thomas Alva Edison invented a carbon filament that burned for forty hours. 10. Penicillin Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Andrew Moyer patented the first method of industrial production of penicillin in 1948.

Aerosol Spray Cans The concept of an aerosol originated as early as 1790. Aibo - the robotic pet. Air Bags In 1973, the General Motors research team invented the first car safety air bags that were first offered in the 1973 model Chevrolet as an option. Air Balloons The early history of air balloons. Air Brakes George Westinghouse invented air brakes in 1868.

Air Conditioning Willis Carrier brought us the comfort zone with air conditioning. Air Ships The history behind balloons, blimps, dirigibles and zeppelins. Airplane/Aviation Wilbur and Orville Wright invented the manned engined airplane, which they patented as a "flying machine." Learn about other aviation related innovations. See also Airplane Parts Of Alcoholic Beverages Evidence of intentionally fermented beverages exist in the form of beer jugs dated as early as the Neolithic period. Alternating Current Charles Proteus Steinmetz developed theories on alternating current that allowed for the rapid expansion of the electric power industry. Alternative Energy Related A list of articles related to the invention and the history of alternative, earth-friendly energy sources. Altimeter An instrument which measures vertical distance with respect to a reference level. Aluminum Foil - Aluminum Manufacturing Process The first mass-produced and widely used metal foil was made from tin. Tin foil was replaced by aluminum foil in 1910. Charles Martin Hall discovered the electrolytic method of producing aluminum cheaply and brought the metal into wide commercial use. Ambulance The concept of ambulance service started in Europe with the Knights of St. John. Anemometer In 1450, Leon Battista Alberti, the Italian artist and architect, invented the first mechanical anemometer. The anemometer is a device that measures wind speed. Answering Machines The history of answering machines. Antibody Labeling Agents - Antigen and Antibody Joseph Burckhalter and Robert Seiwald invented the first practical and patented antibody labeling agent. Antiseptics History of and key figures. Apple Computers The Apple Lisa was the first home computer with a GUI or graphical user interface. Learn about the history of the Apple Macintosh, the most famous Apple home computer. Aqualung The history of Scuba or diving equipment.

Arc Transmitter Danish engineer, Valdemar Poulsen invented the arc transmitter in 1902. The arc transmitter, contrary to all previous types of radio transmitters in history, generated continuous radio waves. Archimedes Screw An archimedes screw is a machine for raising water, invented by the ancient Greek scientist and mathematician Archimedes. Armillary Sphere Miniature representations of the earth, moon, and planets in the form of terrestrial globes, terrain models and armillary spheres have a long history. Artificial Heart Willem Kolff invented both the first artificial heart and the first artificial kidney dialysis machine. Read about the history of artificial hearts. Asphalt The history of roads, road building and asphalt. Aspirin In 1829, scientists discovered that it was the compound called salicin in willow plants, which is responsible for pain relief. But it was father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, who first discovered the pain relieving properties of the willow plant in the 5th century, B.C. Assembly Line Eli Olds invented the basic concept of the assembly line and Henry Ford improved it. AstroTurf A patent for synthetic grass-like playing surfaces or Astroturf was issued to Wright and Faria of Monsanto Industries. Atari Computers The history of the entertaining game computer. ATM - Automatic Teller Machines The history of automated teller machines (ATM). Atomic Bomb In 1939, Einstein and several other scientists told Roosevelt of efforts in Nazi Germany to build an atomic bomb. It was shortly thereafter that the United States Government began the Manhattan Project, whose research produced the first atomic bomb. Atomic Clock The US primary time and frequency standard is a cesium fountain atomic clock developed at the NIST laboratories. Audio Tape Recording Marvin Camras invented the method and means of magnetic recording. The history of sound recording. Auto-Tune Dr Andy Hildebrand is the inventor of the voice pitch-correcting software called Auto-Tune.

Automated Electrified Monorail Systems Ronald Riley invented the automated electrified monorail system. Automatic Doors Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt invented the sliding automatic door in 1954. Automobile The history of the automobile spans over one hundred years -- the famous early car models, view timelines of automotive development and discover who made the first gasoline powered car. See Also -Automobile Pictorial Timeline
Bakelite Leo Hendrik Baekeland patented a "Method of Making Insoluble Products of Phenol and Formaldehyde." Setting out to make an insulator, he invented the first true plastic and transformed the world. Ball Point Pens The ball-point pen was invented by Ladislo Biro in 1938. A patent battle erupted; learn how Parker and Bic won the war. Ballistic Missile A ballistic missile can be any of a variety of weapons systems that deliver explosive warheads to their targets by means of rocket propulsion. Balloons/Blimps zeppelins. The history and patents behind airships, balloons, blimps, dirigibles and

Balloons (Toy) The first rubber balloons were made in 1824 by Professor Michael Faraday for use in his experiments with hydrogen. Band-Aid Dickson. Band-Aid is the trademarked name for the 1920 invention belonging to Earle

Bar Codes The first patents for bar code were issued to Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver on October 7, 1952. Barbeque drives. In America, barbecue (or BBQ) originated in the late 1800's during Western cattle

Barbed Wire Don't fence me in -- all about the invention, development, and use of barbed wire. Barbie Doll Barometer The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler. The barometer was invented by Evangelista Torricelli in 1643. The Bartholdi Fountain was designed by the same inventor of the Statue of

Bartholdi Fountain Liberty.

Baseball/Baseball Equipment baseball bats.

Baseball was invented by Alexander Cartwright. The history of

BASIC BASIC (Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was invented in 1964 by John Kemeny and Tom Kurtz.

Basketball

James Naismith invented and named the game of basketball in 1891.

Bathroom Related The history of ancient and modern plumbing from around the world - baths, toilets, water closets and sewage systems. Battery 2000 was the 201th anniversary of the invention of the battery by Alessandro Volta.

Beauty Related The history of hair dryers, ironing curlers and other beauty appliances. The history of cosmetics and hair products. Beds The history of waterbeds, murphy beds and other kinds of beds. Lie down and read about the patents and ihistory behind beds. Beer We can trace the beginning of beer far back beyond the dawn of recorded time. Apparently, beer was the first alcoholic beverage known to civilization. Bells Bells may be categorized as idiophones, instruments sounding by the vibration of resonant solid material, and more broadly as percussion instruments." Beverage Related Blenders Bic Pens The history of beverages and the equipment that make them.

Stephen Poplawski invented the kitchen blender. Learn about the history of Bic pens and other writing instruments.

BicycleThe history of that foot-powered riding machine. BifocalsEye glasses that see near and far. Bikini The bikini was invented in 1946 and named after the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the site of the first atomic bomb testing. The designers of the bikini were two Frenchmen named Jacques Heim and Louis Reard. Bingo "Bingo" originated from a game called Beano. Biofilters/Biofiltration The first proposition to use biological methods to treat odorous compounds came as early as 1923. Biometric Related Biometrics technology is used to uniquely identify or verify an individual through characteristics of the human body. Blood Bank

Dr. Charles Richard Drew was the first person to develop the blood bank. Blue Jeans Levi Strauss invented blue jeans. Board Games Puzzle over the history of board games and other brain teasers. Body Armor & Bullet Proof Vests Humans throughout recorded history have used various types of materials as body armor to protect themselves from injury in combat and other dangerous situations. Boilers Babcock and Wilcox co-invented the water tube steam boiler, a safer and more efficient boiler. Boomerang The history of the boomerang and complete instructions on how to make your own. Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauge In 1849, the Bourdon tube pressure gauge was patented by Eugene Bourdon. Bra It's 1913 and Mary Phelps Jacob's corset was not the undergarment to wear under her new shear evening gown. Patent for First Bra Braces - Dental The history of dental braces or the science of Orthodontics is complex, many different patents helped to create braces as we know them today. Braille Louis Braille invented braille printing. Brush - Hair Brushes were used as early as 2,500,000 years ago.

Bubble Gum The invention and history of chewing gum, bubble gum, gum wrappers, gum tins and bubble gum machines. Bulldozer It is not certain who invented the first bulldozer, however, the bulldozer blade was in use before the invention of any tractor. Butterick Dress Patterns Ebenezer Butterick, together with his wife Ellen Augusta Pollard Butterick, invented the tissue paper dress pattern.