Top 10 Productivity Improving Inventions During the Industrial Revolution

1. Top 10 Productivity Improving Inventions During the Industrial Revolution

2. Introduction Industrial Revolution

3. James Hargreaves developed the spinning jenny in 1764. It allowed workers to spin more wool at one time which was necessary in the textile industry. Spinning Jenny

4. The first reliable steam engine was created by James Watt in 1775. Watt’s version included a crankshaft and gears and is the foundation for modern steam engines. This invention made trains and many textile machines possible. Steam Engine

5. Edmund Cartwright invented the power loom in 1785 . It changed the way cloth was woven by making it much easier. Power Loom

6. Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin in 1794. Before the invention of the cotton gin, cotton seeds had to be removed from cotton by hand. This invention made cotton a much more profitable crop which increased the number of farmers planting cotton. In turn, this increased the need for African slaves in the South. Cotton Gin

7. Samuel F. B. Morse created the telegraph in 1836. This invention forever changed communication. Instant communication became possible between the east and west coast. People knew what was happening when it was happening. Thomas Edison Brain Pop Telegraph

8. Thomas Edison created the phonograph in 1877. Before the phonograph, the only means of entertainment was to attend a performance with live musicians or actors. The phonograph allowed people to listen to music anywhere. Phonograph

9. Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone in 1876. This further improved communication and led to the communication devices we use today. Telephone

10. Elias Howe created the sewing machine in 1844. This invention allowed for mass production of clothes. Before this invention, it was common for women to make all of the clothes for their families. Sewing Machine

11. Orville and Wilbur Wright created the first airplane in 1903. Within just a few decades planes had changed personal and business travel and had dramatically altered warfare. Airplane

12. Jean Lenoir invented the internal combustion engine in 1858. Eventually this engine would be used in mass transportation. Internal Combustion Engine

13. Top 5 Productivity Improving Inventions in Recent Years

14. Barcodes are used in almost every industry. Without barcodes, information would have to be inserted manually into computers or on paper. Barcodes can be used to track inventory and hold valuable information about a product. #5 The Barcode

15. IEEE 802.16 can wirelessly transmit Internet access up to 30-miles with connection speeds similar to DSL. Businesses can have access to email, Internet, and other online communication services while on the go. People are no longer stuck in their offices. #4 IEEE 802.16

16. Cloud storage is a rapidly going trend in the small business world. It has increased work productivity on a daily basis. Workers can upload documents to the cloud at work, and they can finish it later at home or anywhere else. #3 Cloud Storage

17. The transistor is a tiny device found in almost every piece of technology that allows for electronic signals. Tablets, laptops, and smartphones all have transistors. Have you ever accessed your email from your smartphone? #2 The Transistor

18. The Internet is arguably the greatest invention in the modern era. Businesses can build websites which allows them to market and sell their products. The Internet allows business owners to have better communication with each other. #1 The Internet

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