The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History


In This Issue
The Historians Perspective
From the Teachers Desk
Interactive History
Ask the Archivist
Past Issues
E-mail This Page
19th-Century Technology in 21st-Century America
by William Walker

Background:

The 19th century was marked by a period of innovation, invention, and a huge spurt of growth known as the industrial revolution. Many inventions from the 19th century never caught on or have become obsolete, while many others, with some modifications or improvements, continue to have an effect on our everyday lives.

Essential Question:

What would our lives be like today without the technological advances of the 19th century?

Materials:

Patent Drawing of the Calculating Machine (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Duryea Vehicle (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Electric Light Bulb (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Elevator (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Movie Camera (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Movie Camera 2 (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Phonograph (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Sewing Machine (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Telephone (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Typewriter (pdf)

Patent Drawing of the Washing Machine (pdf)

All images from the National Archives www.nara.org

19th-Century Invention Timeline (pdf)




History Now -- American History Online