Inventions Make an Impact SS5H3.b Describe the impact on American life of the Wright brothers (flight), George Washington Carver (science), Alexander Graham Bell (communication), and Thomas Edison (electricity).

Flight Who? The Wright Brothers

The Wright Brothers One day, when Orville and Wilbur Wright were boys, their father returned from a trip with a gift that would help change their lives--and history--forever. The toy was a helicopter, made of cork, bamboo, and paper. It was powered by a rubber band.

The Wright Brothers What? The airplane The toy helicopter thrilled Orville, age 7, and Wilbur, age 11. They began to build and fly copies of it. And although their attempts to build much larger models failed, their interest in flight had begun. As adults their interest continued and after a successful glider test, the Wrights built and tested a full-size glider. What? The airplane

The Wright Brothers Where? Kitty Hawk, North Carolina They selected Kitty Hawk, North Carolina as their test site because of its wind, sand, hilly terrain and remote location. Where? Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

The Wright Brothers When? December 17, 1903 Their 12-second flight on December 17, 1903 from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, forever changed the world. When? December 17, 1903

Science Who? George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver Taught farmers to rotate crops to help put nutrients back in the depleted soil. What? More than 300 products from peanuts and sweet potatoes

George Washington Carver Born a slave in Diamond Grove, Missouri. Developed a love for plants while working in a small garden. Attended college in Iowa. Became the Director of Agriculture at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Where? Tuskegee University, Alabama

George Washington Carver When? Early 1900s

Communications Who? Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell Invented an electrical speech machine. What? telephone

Alexander Graham Bell Where? Massachusetts When? 1876 Born in Scotland His father taught deaf people how to speak using a code. Became a professor at Boston University in Massachusetts where he founded a school for deaf mutes. Invented telephone in 1876. Where? Massachusetts When? 1876

Electricity Who? Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison Granted more than 1,000 patents Inventions include first light bulb, electrical generating system, phonograph, and moving picture camera What? Electricity, light bulb, phonograph, moving picture camera

Thomas Edison Where? New York, New Jersey He built a laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey. It was here with his employees he made many of his inventions. Edison led America into the age of electricity and changed the world forever. The light bulb was a better and safer way to light up a dark room or street. In 1882, New York City was the first city to be lit up by electric power. Where? New York, New Jersey

Thomas Edison 1877 phonograph 1879 light bulb 1880 electrical generating system 1894 moving picture camera When? 1870s – early 1900s