A bare
catalogue of notable American inventions in the nineteenth
century alone could not be compressed into these pages. Nor is it
any part of the purpose of this book to trespass on the ground of
the many mechanical works and encyclopedias which give technical
descriptions and explain in detail the principle of every
invention. All this book seeks to do is to outline the
personalities of some of the outstanding American inventors and
indicate the significance of their achievements.
Acknowledgments are due the Editor of the Series and to members
of the staff of the Yale University Press particularly, Miss
Constance Lindsay Skinner, Mr. Arthur Edwin Krows, and Miss
Frances Hart--without whose intelligent assistance the book could
not have been completed in time to take its place in the Series.
H. T.
COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK,
May 10, 1921.
CONTENTS
I. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND HIS TIMES
II. ELI WHITNEY AND THE COTTON GIN
III. STEAM IN CAPTIVITY
IV. SPINDLE, LOOM, AND NEEDLE IN NEW ENGLAND
V. THE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION
VI. AGENTS OF COMMUNICATION
VII. THE STORY OF RUBBER
VIII. PIONEERS OF THE MACHINE SHOP
IX. THE FATHERS OF ELECTRICITY
X. THE CONQUEST OF THE AIR
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
THE AGE OF INVENTION
CHAPTER I. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND HIS TIMES
On Milk Street, in Boston, opposite the Old South Church, lived
Josiah Franklin, a maker of soap and candles.
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