Inventions
Get inspired with profiles and biographies of famous inventors and their inventions. Then, become an inventor yourself with our resources for transforming your ideas into consumer products.
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/lIfywKyhbUgfM_HKEF8n8i1ROmc=/360x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/tax2_image_history_culture-58a22d1368a0972917bfb546.png)
![Business Plan on Note Pad](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/HAS_MYqGBdZpFn_NlV3fQeIC4pU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/business-plan-on-note-pad-985119814-5bfdc53946e0fb0026a7875b.jpg)
Sample Business Plan
![lightbulb with hot filament](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/WS5gZnsNL5_QaxaBKUmU80ZIeqk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/lightbulblit-57a5bf6b5f9b58974aee831e.jpg)
FAQ: What is Electricity?
![Student entrepreneurs are building drones during technology class](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/aJJsS_gZk4ZgafD48KU8lf7LIfQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-503690410-58fbbe813df78ca1596a565e.jpg)
Creativity & Creative Thinking
![Early sugar farming and processing by slaves in the West Indies, 1753.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Y8E8KkodnIhpkDIGjXoqJrnCrXQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-463913139-56b008bf5f9b58b7d01f9f6a.jpg)
History of the Agricultural Revolution
![Businesswoman standing alone in conference room](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/CmvyOWKA8VpQDokoik5zlxMtqBg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/102871178-F-56b005d03df78cf772cb22b6.jpg)
Fact or Fiction: Did Agapito Flores Invent the Fluorescent Lamp?
![Funny Christmas couple](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/wMCrYmOtmWLf31oV54p697niQCA=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/funny-christmas-couple-1031453944-5bfdc15646e0fb0051088682.jpg)
The History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater
![Guillotines](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/iRg3dxHAtv_0vZk6e5QIvrMZja0=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/guillotines-lg-56a9a2705f9b58b7d0fd8ec2.jpg)
September Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
![Ice cream](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/TYt39ls4BVbSgXiIplQuCKG9ckI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-183869002-58f28fbd5f9b582c4d663562.jpg)
January Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/yXBn5HODzU6fC9RmVFPTcmmQB3A=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Toothpick-59f86d44aad52b0010170006.jpg)
Who Invented the Toothpick?
![On the October Calendar - October's Bright Blue Weather](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/omJmoJdoEv77wIkucumAiQ57RKw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/october-56affac65f9b58b7d01f391d.jpg)
October Calendar of Famous Inventions and Birthdays
![Hands by piles of coins, close-up](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/jY9EY8Ko3istSIhOykZO_tEBI0Y=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/BA60223-F-56b005653df78cf772cb1f37.jpg)
Invention Funding: How Inventors Raise Money
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/DZK7AGfvsTj0Ol4zGu6xl2RJn7Y=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/iphone-x-59cdee7fd963ac001186d3c5.jpg)
Smartphone Technologies of the Future
![Etching of race between the Tom Thumb steam locomotive and a train pulled by a horse.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/7vZfaHhufkQOI8LYs1OHhP5EPjM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/horsepower-59ce2e06845b340011fc57ac.jpg)
The Origins of the Term, 'Horsepower'
![Spring Shoes](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/D-aU4lWO5wh_z-yZXuP4Qzpv6zc=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/spring-shoes-JH5986-001-5ade4ce8a18d9e003748bf9a.jpg)
How to File for a Design Patent
How a Space Elevator Would Work
![Quotes of Galileo Galilei](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/9Laa1va0ajKdmpmDEcCvy1XsmXg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GalileoGalilei-56b002ea5f9b58b7d01f6744.jpg)
A Short History of the Scientific Revolution
![woman hand holding and planting new tree in front view](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/qwH7I5T8CduYM5BD1zAZEd4kRDk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/157558622-56a2acff5f9b58b7d0cd4d53.jpg)
Who Invented Earth Day?
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/0eYxNQz0E_yHp7fN7K9xxog0q3I=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Gilbert_Stuart_Williamstown_Portrait_of_George_Washington-595e26b85f9b58843f63b259.jpg)
Historic Politicians You Didn't Know Were Also Inventors
![US Patent form](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/aHF2BeafI_xRkQGY107k8spf-kE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/patentapplication-56a530a05f9b58b7d0db650f.jpg)
National Inventors Month
![World's Biggest Easter Egg](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/UZPS14d1kw7V947Q6AMbPt8I5fw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/largesteasteregg-56affdb85f9b58b7d01f48ca.jpg)
Easter Egg Photo Gallery
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/vMGpPjg4jqrHbisFm_Sx7DOAcxM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/magic-guitar-58906b243df78caebcdf36bd.png)
Review of the MI Guitar by Magic Instruments
![Nasa spinoff cover 2015](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/AzGjKnWTMTvRtQ9k8k-kSm4gCwM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/15-009_spin-off_image_1-5905f8a45f9b5810dce421c2.jpg)
NASA Spin-Offs: From Space Technology to Earth Invention
![Steel factory workers in hardhats standing near a large steel tube hanging from an overhead crane.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/TE9HYItj0_PWEOVqO6LC-QMhvgQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-138341623-57811b983df78c1e1ff63282-5c1a6ada46e0fb0001b3e1d5.jpg)
The History of Steel
![scientist using microscope in lab](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/_b3Wc3n5dLVqvP2tinEMCxsfpgQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-180408884-576adf845f9b585875316a10.jpg)
The Top Countries for Biotech Firms and Research
![Scientist looking through microscope](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/uoMtC5sIAKEbIEstTLCukyQ-mPQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/botanist-looking-through-microscope-180408884-5b3741cc46e0fb005b1344a1.jpg)
An Overview of Biotechnology and the Biotech Industry
![Man Inventing Wings](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/OtLEqntt4UWdT1pqDjK3vqWLXxI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-522974546-58ec22cc5f9b58ef7ed10a1a.jpg)
Before You Start an Inventors Log Book
Biography of Cyrus McCormick, Inventor of the Mechanical Reaper
![Painting of Anton Van Leeuwenhoek by Robert Thom](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/4eWMrz0Vegm3tBKLv-gvFnStloc=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-517203608-5c4c9ba246e0fb0001f21eaf.jpg)
Biography of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Father of Microbiology
![James Watt, 1736 - 1819. Engineer, inventor of the steam engine](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/kU4R9eTJ3Futo7M829M7lcpp_4g=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-176563991-79dca641eb1945799b867ed58d8a6d1f.jpg)
Biography of James Watt, Inventor of the Modern Steam Engine
![Granville T. Woods](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/9UXOu2H2thZ4G96B2PFke0E8RFc=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GranvilleT.Woods-41bbdeb2e5a94b15b17efdcdddda67e7.jpg)
Biography of Granville T. Woods, American Inventor
![Red and white striped drinking straws](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/rI0C0uR8V_3CeB0ty2Qlc3PyCLg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/red-and-white-striped-drinking-straws-1028092622-aec703b9939e441ebe75b0cf9efe08c6.jpg)
Biography of Marvin Stone, Inventor of Drinking Straws
![Sir Charles Wheatstone](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/2D5R2JN-SPipbjGls4-0jhVtEKU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/sir-charles-wheatstone-729025783-5c7f568846e0fb0001a5f123.jpg)
Biography of Charles Wheatstone, British Inventor and Entrepreneur
![John Heysham Gibbon Jr.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/FU0jkdxHAF5YIGV7PRBw2itYMDQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/JohnHeyshamGibbonJr-5c854f5a46e0fb00017b30fe.jpg)
Biography of John Heysham Gibbon Jr., Heart-Lung Machine Inventor
![Orvile And Wilbur Wright](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/OnLaBxfrtBUEnQaO3MHzXxIA3LI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/orvile-and-wilbur-wright-96816192-5c4a08cb46e0fb000126e6ed.jpg)
Quotes of the Wright Brothers
![Who invented WiFi, and what made it possible?](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/SXzuDtXQHDRBwtTeeisFY9IAuMw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/who-invented-wifi-1992663_final-5c7ee58546e0fb0001d83e0a.png)
Who Created Wi-Fi, the Wireless Internet Connection?
![Photographic equipment, cameras, slides, lenses, rolls of film](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/vE_XrNgNrUceSHeMU2k9oPMorhw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/film-photography-592347645-59e4d0609abed500119e7b14.jpg)
The History of Photography: Pinholes and Polaroids to Digital Images
![Ruth Handler holds a Barbie doll, 1999.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/WS6VtLDtzT8z31O7UAeloC4Ye3Q=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1151874-ac6dc9c093a1453eaab29a555b6b49cf.jpg)
Biography of Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls
![Spinning Jenny](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Q1oJD8_ofSvY8Ey-9hHW8CbV5AE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Spinning_jenny-59226c535f9b58f4c03f04c9.jpg)
James Hargreaves and the Invention of the Spinning Jenny
![](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/w1tu3Btot5nVcq28ucXsuzasDoI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-73994216-592f08f83df78cbe7e1fbcb5.jpg)
Important Innovations and Inventions, Past and Present
![Multiple Pinball Targets](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/kB2j5aJWBpJxm-3mjrcfA2LZy5s=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-157437094-58f522225f9b581d59b6d772.jpg)
The History of Pinball
![Thomas Newcomen's engine](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/5_aYv6XjgkxFxmW2McLm191vKuQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/125176351-57ab52f35f9b58974a077a94.jpg)
How Do Steam Engines Work?
![Hanging clocks in sitting room](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/kifH6Bvs7ddmKqIL6zg28C4J3MM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/185921376-F-56b0062e3df78cf772cb264a.jpg)
The Development of Clocks and Watches Over Time
![Young businessman using wireless headset while talking through smart phone at office](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/YsWIexG8MbqoevmdhymrWEnu0G4=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-996020558-5c7775ebc9e77c0001fd5966.jpg)
Who Invented Bluetooth?
![A section of blue denim jeans](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/5k47p4ZY8ETifOnIxdlT8Zgpn2Q=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/a-section-of-blue-denim-jeans-483446419-f91daac7b1234bc98260f036f622f508.jpg)
Fabrics - The History of Fabrics and Different Fibers
![Hydrogen fuel cell](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/YPL3aalfufB8cL9j1FPhv7h-j84=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/hydrogen-fuel-cell-697556161-5c57d1cc46e0fb0001c08aad.jpg)
Hydrogen Fuel Cells Innovation for the 21st Century
![dyson dryer](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/Knrr3GHmttdQB23iuoqAYfXZipk=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/dyson-has-released-a-299-hairdryer-57248f525f9b589e343142be.jpg)
How the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Works
![The First Telegraph](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/QWWoGHh_4f2u55VkEPHWAXwukmI=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-640486531-58f85b325f9b581d59f95106.jpg)
Samuel Morse and the Invention of the Telegraph
![Scientists Develop "Nano Bubble Water" In Japan](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/4KnI-48vIxHQuTXkVhch1jypRhU=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/NanBubble-57a2b9e23df78c3276770cea.jpg)
Inventions Using Nanotechnology
![Hand paying with a credit card](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/QtSkPM3EUq7-KPHe3HGIaN1Q-fE=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/152380434-F-56b005ab5f9b58b7d01f8407.jpg)
Invention of Credit Cards
![Spacewar on the Computer History Museum's PDP-1](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/U6Gxwe3bD3IShta3_G7ZCdwtdrs=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/Spacewar_screenshot-5954c1c35f9b5815d91a10ec.jpg)
The History of Spacewar: The First Computer Game
![DIY Tassel Scissor Charm](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/2dPBHHbpMiVv-Vs2vRCwbuTRpp8=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/TasselScissorCharm1-57bb74b63df78c87631fc3a5.jpg)
Who Invented Scissors?
![Native American woman in traditional dress](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/tKdn9hO3MCGA6Os1toZzJoJ-jPg=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-726795637-59ac0bc8685fbe0010285677.jpg)
Native American Inventions
![A right hand sending letter to post box](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/HlMeHIpUk6vIL7mLucHwM5rSr8o=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/a-right-hand-of-asian-skin-is-sending-letter-to-post-box-974020720-5c5f239646e0fb0001ca87ba.jpg)
History of Mail and the Postal System
![Pivot irrigation system sits in wheat field](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/sgoZCXc3MKFFCTLGB6qhfGFcfpQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-915441792-5bb5107ec9e77c002647d179.jpg)
History of American Agriculture
![Candy canes in a bowl](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/hUd9eOP11MdekOzpNgJVHFfdlgA=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/candy-canes-in-blue-bowl-140286353-581b67ea3df78cc2e85acd99.jpg)
The History of Candy Canes
![Elevated view of illuminated casinos](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/-aw6YKNNjIm1WYo0HEmy--DhKZw=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/163643935_F-56b005485f9b58b7d01f8148.jpg)
The History of Neon Signs
![Liter bottles of 7UP on a grocery shelf](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/O6RVRx1gRvhH-JMAs6ULUPeciOM=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/14590905032_d78aa415bc_k-58e4cc515f9b58ef7e200aef.jpg)
The History of 7UP and Charles Leiper Grigg
![View of wave breaking from underwater.](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/74fs5WyKI8LONwVHwiezLw0LvIQ=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/108638544-F-56b005403df78cf772cb1e3c.jpg)
The History of Sonar
![Red, wet maple leaves arranged to make a Canadian flag](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/NBcH9zghIk4ZhrRq5kC3Bns1sK8=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-156027241-59e4422d6f53ba0011ba6c93.jpg)
Top 100 Inventions Made in Canada
![TV and cords](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/oSfvak96Ts5oJ_kAHn1AViWyWDA=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/82822664-F-56b0065b5f9b58b7d01f8ad7.jpg)
The Inventors Behind the Creation of Television
![Cotton Harvest by cotton picker machine](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/bUmXHWrJvbsevFtNM3Hw3EJ8ZV8=/219x146/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/cotton-harvest-77028673-5c5313f7c9e77c00014b025a.jpg)
Inventions and Inventors of the Agricultural Revolution