Inventions Flashcards
What is the significance of the steam engine in the Industrial Revolution?
The steam engine, improved by James Watt in 1776, revolutionized transportation and factories by providing a reliable power source.
Who improved the steam engine and when?
James Watt improved the steam engine in 1776, making it more efficient and suitable for industrial use.
What was the impact of the steam locomotive?
George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 (1825) and The Rocket (1829) transformed transport, making travel and goods movement faster and cheaper.
What did the spinning jenny do and who invented it?
Invented by James Hargreaves in 1764, it allowed one worker to spin multiple spools of thread simultaneously, greatly increasing textile production.
What was the significance of the power loom?
Invented by Edmund Cartwright in 1785, the power loom mechanized weaving, increasing efficiency and reducing the need for manual labor in the textile industry.
Who invented the cotton gin and when?
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793, revolutionizing cotton production by making it faster and more efficient.
What did the Bessemer process do?
Invented by Henry Bessemer in 1856, the Bessemer process made steel production cheaper and faster, leading to mass production of steel for buildings, railways, and tools.
What was the impact of the telegraph?
Invented by Samuel Morse in 1837, the telegraph allowed for long-distance communication by transmitting electrical signals over wires.
What did Robert Fulton contribute to transportation?
In 1807, Robert Fulton successfully launched the first commercially viable steamboat, The Clermont, which revolutionized river and ocean transport.
What is the significance of the spinning mule?
Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule in 1779, combining the best features of the spinning jenny and the water frame, improving thread quality and production speed.
What was the significance of the telephone invention?
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876, revolutionizing communication by allowing voice transmission over long distances.
How did the light bulb change society?
Thomas Edison invented the practical light bulb in 1879, greatly extending working hours and improving life in cities by providing reliable artificial light.
What was the impact of the factory system during the Industrial Revolution?
The factory system, powered by inventions like the steam engine, replaced traditional handcrafts with mass production, leading to urbanization and increased productivity.
Who invented the first mechanical reaper and when?
Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper in 1831, revolutionizing agriculture by allowing farmers to harvest crops faster and more efficiently.
