Famous and Not So Famous

Inventors

By Claudia Heaps

Thomas Edison1847 – 1931

• Only attended formal school for a few months

• Taught by his mother• At 13 sold newspapers and

candy on a local train line• Obtained 1093 patents

during his life

Thomas Edison1847 – 1931

• His first successful invention was to improve the stock ticker

• First great invention was the tin foil phonograph which recorded sound

• First demonstrated the electric light in 1879

• Invented the kinetoscope or motion picture camera

George Eastman1854 - 1932

• He quit school at 14 to help support his family

• He was paid $3 a week to be a messenger boy

• He was a well known philanthropist and gave away $100 million

George Eastman1854 - 1932

• He invented easy use cameras• And dry, transparent film on rolls• His inventions made it possible

for Thomas Edison’s motion picture camera

Philo T. Farnsworth1906 - 1971

• Born in a log cabin in Beaver, Utah• His parents wanted him to become

a concert violinist• He once worked on a Salt Lake

City street cleaning crew

Philo T. Farnsworth1906 - 1971

• September 7, 1927 first components of the television were demonstrated

• He invented the first electron microscope and the first infant incubator

• Electronic eyes he invented were used in moon landings

“Bill” William Lear1902 – 1978

• Went to school through the 8th grade• During WW1, at 16 he joined the Navy• After the war he became a pilot• At the age of 20 he formed his

first of many companies

“Bill” William Lear1902 – 1978

• Invented the first practical car radio• Invented a reliable aeronautical radio

compass and automatic pilot system• Invented the eight track tape

with endless magnetic loop recording

Stephanie Kwolek1923 - present

• Wanted to go to medical school, but lack the funds

• Took a research position with DuPont

• Worked hard so her job wouldn’t be given to a man

Stephanie Kwolek1923 - present

• In the 1960’s discover crystalline polymers

• Material used in bulletproof vests• Also used in radial tires, brake pads,

racing sails, fiberoptic cable, water-, air-, and spacecraft shells

Quick Quiz

• His invention led to the invention by another man.

• He filed over 1,000 patents in his life.• He invented something for the audio,

aviation, and auto industries.• Wanted to go to medical school.• His parents wanted him to be a

musician.

Quick Quiz

• His invention led to the invention by another man.• George Eastman• He filed over 1,000 patents in his life.• Thomas Edison• He invented something for the audio, aviation,

and auto industries.• William Lear• Wanted to go to medical school.• Stephanie Kwolek• His parents wanted him to be a musician.• Philo T. Farnsworth