Are you a tinkerer? A dreamer? A problems solver?
Are you curious? Creative?
Determined?
THEN THE ANSWER
IS YES!
Have you ever wanted to invent something, but you worried it might not work on the first try? Here’s the good news: inventors must try thousands of times just to get one result that works. Talk about a lesson in persistence. In fact, there are some famous inventions that were mistakes!
Want to know some of the most famous inventions that were the product of an idea gone wrong? From silly putty to chocolate chip cookies, you won’t BELIEVE what is on this list.
You know the famous toy that walks downstairs and is a blast to play with? Naval engineer, Richard James, was trying to design special springs to help stabilize sensitive equipment on his ships. One of the springs fell to the ground and continued to move end over end. Thus, the Slinky was born.
Accidentally invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield, owner of the Toll House Inn (sound familiar?), chocolate chip cookies were the result of trying to make plain chocolate cookies for guests. The chocolate chunks just never melted how she wanted them to. What a happy mistake!
That’s right, one of the most famous snacks in the whole world was invented on accident when a chef was angry with a customer who was complaining about his soggy fried potatoes. To seek revenge, the chef decided to slice the potatoes extra thin and fry them up. And boy are we glad he did!
You know that yucky tasting antibiotic you get when you are sick? Most likely, it is penicillin, which has saved millions of lives around the world, but was discovered by accident when a scientist left his lab a mess. He came back to discover mold growing on petri dishes that once contained bacteria. The mold had wiped out the bacteria and, thus, a new antibiotic was discovered!
James Wright, an engineer at General Electric, was trying to create a silicon-based substitute for rubber during World War II. He accidentally added too much Boron and the result was a runny mess that bounced!
If it weren’t for these famous “mistakes,” some of our favorite treats and toys would be nonexistent. Can you imagine a world without chocolate chip cookies or the joy of a slinky? Then you can’t imagine a world without accidents. So, the next time you are in the mood to create something new, don’t give up just because your idea doesn’t work on the first try. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and keep following even your craziest invention ideas!
When you think of “famous inventor” you probably think of Thomas Edison (the lightbulb) or Alexander Graham Bell (the phone) ... or Steve Jobs (Apple)! But what about all those other inventions we are still using today? Meet these 30 famous inventors:
01 Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400-1468)
Gutenberg was the first European to invent the printing press making mass printing possible and brought books and reading to the masses.
02 Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Da Vinci invented the aerial screw, which led to modern helicopters, and an underwater diving suit that was the precursor to today’s scuba gear.
03 Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
His inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin Stove.
04 Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
A renown tinkerer, Jefferson invented the swivel chair and a dumbwaiter system (an small elevator for moving food).
05 Robert Fulton (1765-1815)
An artist turned inventor, he invented the first commercial steamboats.
06 Louis Daguerre (1787-1851)
As a scene painter, Daguerre experimented with camera obscura for painting large backdrops. Over time, he worked to develop the daguerreotype, the precursor of modern photography
07 Thomas Jennings (1791-1856)
A free person of color, Jennings was born in New York City. He was the first African American to hold a patent for a process that today we call dry cleaning.
07 Samuel Morse (1792-1872)
Another artist-turned-inventor, Morse developed the electric telegraph and also Morse Code: a system of dots and dashes used to send these messages.
09 Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
So many inventions to his credit, but his best-known inventions include the incandescent light bulb, phonograph, and an early movie camera.
10 Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
A rival of Edison, Tesla was the inventor and proponent of alternating current, which was ultimately proven more reliable than Edison’s direct current. He also created the Tesla Coil, induction motor, and neon lights.
11 Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis Lumière (1864-1948)
The Lumière brothers gave us one of the most popular inventions of all time — the movies! Their Cinématographe was a three-in-one machine that could record, develop, and project films for an audience.
12 Henry Ford (1863-1947)
Ford invented the automobile AND designed the assembly line. This allowed mass production of his incredibly popular Model T and other cars.
13 George Washington Carver (1864-1943)
Invented the concept of crop rotation. His methods were so successful they led to an abundance of peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes, and he spent much of his life coming up with new uses for them. (He did not, contrary to popular belief, invent peanut butter.)
14
Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919)
When a medical condition caused her to lose much of her hair, Madam Walker invented a treatment system that completely revolutionized Black hair care. Her factory was located in Indianapolis! She went on to become the first Black female millionaire in the U.S.
15 Wilbur Wright (1867-1912)
Orville Wright (1871-1947)
The Wright brothers facilitated the first flight in an enginepowered manned aircraft.
16 Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937)
Developed the first effective system of radio communication sending the first radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901.
17 Alexander Graham Bell (1877-1922)
An advocate for the deaf, Bell invented the telephone.
18 Charles R. Drew (1904-1950)
Invented a way to process and store blood plasma, eventually managing two of the largest blood banks during World War II.
19 Grace Hopper (1906-1992)
One of the earliest computer programmers and a proponent of home computers.
20
Philo Farnsworth (1906-1971)
Farnsworth developed a television system complete with receiver and camera — which he produced commercially through the Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation from 1938 to 1951, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
21
Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999)
Van Brittan Brown is credited with inventing both security systems and closed-circuit TV.
22 Ralph H. Baer (1922-2014)
The “Father of the Video Game” and helped develop some of the earliest gaming consoles.
23 Patricia Bath (1942-2019)
The first African-American female doctor to receive a medical patent for the Laserphaco Pro probe that revolutionized cataract surgery.
24 Lonnie Johnson (1949-present)
Innovations in aerospace technology and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory also led to summer fun staples like the Super Soaker and Nerf blaster.
25
Steve Wozniak (1950-present) and Steve Jobs (1955-2011)
“Woz and Jobs” built the Apple I (notoriously in the garage) that became the home computer that launched a revolution.
26 Ann Tsukamoto (1952-present)
Dr. Tsukamoto holds several patents for the technology to isolate various types of stem cells, leading to treatments for diseases ranging from cancer to paralysis.
27 Peter Tsai (1952-present)
Invented the N95 respirator mask keeping people safe against airborne viruses.
28 Tim Berners-Lee (1952-present)
In 1991, he set the course for the internet as he launched the World Wide Web.
29 Thomas David Petite (1956-present)
A significant contributor to wireless technologies, he founded the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council to help fellow Native American inventors.
30 Ajay Bhatt (1957-present)
Invented USB technology.
HERE ARE SOME INVENTIONS THAT HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO BUT STILL AFFECT US TODAY
• 1-2 MILLION YEARS AGO - FIRE
• 10,000 BCE - BOATS
• 6,000-7,000 BCEBRICKS WERE INVENTED FOR CONSTRUCTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
• 3,500-5,000 BCE - GLASS
• 2500 BCE - PAPER (BY THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS)
• 1700 BCE - THE ALPHABET (BY THE SEMITES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN)
• 400 BCE - THE KITE (IN CHINA)
• 100 CE - THE COMPASS
• 700-900 CEFIREWORKS (IN CHINA)
• 800-1300 CE - CLOCKS
AND HERE ARE SOME MODERN INVENTIONS WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE (AND SOME WE COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT!)
• 1590 CECOMPOUND MICROSCOPE (BY ZACHARIAS JANSSEN, A DUTCH SPECTACLE MAKER)
• 1600 - THERMOMETER AND THE TELESCOPE (BY GALILEO)
• 1776 - THE SUBMARINE (IT WAS CALLED THE “TURTLE”)
• 1806 - THE COFFEE POT
• 1814 - THE PLOUGH
• 1833 - THE SEWING MACHINE (BY WALTER HUNT)
• 1857 - THE PASSENGER ELEVATOR
• 1863 - ROLLER SKATES
• 1876 - THE TELEPHONE (BY ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL)
• 1879 - THE LIGHTBULB (BY THOMAS EDISON)
• 1896 - THE MODERN CAR AND ENGINE (BY HENRY FORD)
• 1902 - THE TEDDY BEAR
• 1903 - CRAYONS
• 1907 - COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
• 1910 - THE FIRST TALKING MOTION PICTURE MOVIE
• 1920 - BAND-AIDS
• 1928 - ANTIBIOTICS (SPECIFICALLY PENICILLIN)
• 1934 - MONOPOLY
• 1940 - COLOR TELEVISION
• 1948 - THE FIRST VIDEO GAME (CALLED TENNIS FOR TWO)
• 1950 - THE CREDIT CARD
• 1960 - THE CARSEAT
• 1965 - THE CORDLESS TELEPHONE
• 1971 - THE FIRST PERSONAL COMPUTER WAS INVENTED FOR HOME USE (BY JOHN BLANKENBAKER)
• 1972 - GPS MAPPING
• 1973 - THE MOBILE PHONE
• 1983 - THE INTERNET
Since this issue is all about kid inventors (like YOU), we are leaving plenty of space for your creativity to shine. That is why, instead of giving you a specific craft, we are going to give you a list of ideas to choose from that you can take in as many directions as you like!
Crafting is a great way to learn about the world of physics, science, art, and engineering. Sometimes you will have all the supplies you need and other times you might need to get creative with what you use. Try to find objects around your house or ask family members if they can help you round up materials you need to make your imagination become reality! Here are some places to start:
Do you have anything lying around that could be used to make a car? Or maybe you have some Hot Wheels just itching for new life. Use your creativity to come up with a vehicle that can roll easily. Then, imagine different ways wind can power your vehicle. Is it by a baloon attached to the backend? What about blowing through a straw? Or even a fan? Let your imagination run wild and see which vehicle/wind combination gets the top speed!
Do you love a day at the beach? Why not use your imagination (and great inventing and creating skills) to create your own ocean? Just grab a clear plastic bottle, water, blue food coloring, mineral oil and then any additions to your ocean. Think seashells, small plastic animals, glitter and more! Then, fill the bottle halfway with tap water and add a few drops of blue food coloring. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with mineral oil and then throw in your addins. Make sure to cap it tightly and shake it before enjoy the rocking waves!
This might be an outside project, so ask your grownup first! Eggs are fragile and break easily, but can you invent something that allows an egg to be dropped from a predetermined height and NOT crack? Using anything you can find around the house, see what you come up with? This one might take a few times to get it right. Make sure to ask your grownup for permission before starting a project (especially if it is a messy one). Have fun inventing and creating!
Who doesn’t like to get cooking in the kitchen, especially if it means a reward like fresh pancakes? But have you ever thought of inventing your own recipes? Creating recipes that are unique to you and your family is a great way to have some fun together. Check out our steps to creating a fresh new take on a yummy stack of pancakes!
First things first: what kind of pancakes are you dreaming of making? Do you want to add sprinkles in and create a birthday cake feel? What about food coloring or fresh fruits? Or do you want to change the pancake toppings with homemade syrup or melted peanut butter? Whatever your brain comes up with, pancakes are the perfect blank canvas for all your ideas.
Get with a grownup and write down what kind of pancakes you want to try inventing. Have them make a shopping list with you or check in your pantry and refrigerator to see what you have on hand. Here is a basic pancake batter recipe you can start with before adding in anything fancy:
• 1 ¼ CUP ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
• 1 ¼ TSP WHITE SUGAR
• 1 TBSP BAKING POWDER
• ½ TSP SALT
• 1 CUP MILK
• 1 EGG
• ½ TBSP BUTTER, MELTED
Once you are ready for baking, combine all of the dry ingredients listed above in one bowl, the wet ingredients in another and stir them together. Now comes the fun part: add-ins and inventing time. Check with your grown-up to see which things you should add first or which you should save until the end.
Did your pancakes turn out great? Take a picture, write down the recipe for later and celebrate your victory with a delicious breakfast!
Did they not quite hit the mark? Make notes, mix it up and try again next time! Remember, many great inventions are actually mistakes, and we learn best when things DON’T go the way we want them to the first time!
Not only will you get a delicious, wiggly treat, but you also get the satisfaction of creating a glow in the dark project! It’s not many times that your parents will tell you to eat something that is GLOWING, but when it comes to this recipe, all ingredients are safe to consume.
For this recipe, you will be using tonic water instead of regular tap water to make your Jello. Tonic water contains a substance called quinine, which is a fluorescent. That means that when you hold a black light bulb up to your Jello, it will emit a glow. For best results, use light-colored Jello instead of darker colors like purple or red.
• 1 BOX OF JELLO MIX
• 8 OZ OF TONIC WATER
• CLEAR GLASS JAR OR BOWL (MASON JARS WORK GREAT!)
• STOVE
• LIQUID MEASURING CUPS
• SMALL POT FOR BOILING WATER
• MIXING BOWL
• MIXING SPOON
• REFRIGERATOR
• SMALL TABLE LAMP WITH A FLUORESCENT BLACK LIGHT BULB (AVAILABLE AT WALMART FOR $4)
1. Have a grown-up open the carbonated tonic water and pour it into the small pot on the stove. Bring it to a boil.
2. While you wait, empty the contents of the Jello packet into a bowl.
3. Once water comes to a boil, pour it into the bowl.
4. Stir until Jello dissolves.
5. Add one cup of cold tap water to the bowl and stir again.
6. Pour the Jello mixture into your clear glass jar or bowl and stick it in the fridge to set.
7. After 4 hours, remove from fridge and test with the black light.
8. Enjoy your Jello treat!
If you are a fan of Jello, then this fun kitchen science experiment is for you.
GENIUS LEGO INVENTIONS WITH BRICKS YOU ALREADY HAVE: 40 NEW ROBOTS, VEHICLES, CONTRAPTIONS, GADGETS, GAMES, AND OTHER FUN STEM CREATIONS.
BY SARAH DEES1000 INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
BY ROGER FRANCIS BRIDGMANNIKKI TESLA AND THE FERRET-PROOF DEATH RAY BY
JESS KEATINGHEDY LAMARR
BY MARIA ISABELBLIPS ON A SCREEN: HOW RALPH BAER INVENTED TV VIDEO GAMING AND LAUNCHED A WORLDWIDE OBSESSION
BY KATE HANNIGANTHE ELECTRIC GUITAR: A GRAPHIC HISTORY
BY B.A. HOENASUBMITTED BY:
NICOLE STICHTER
YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN
HANCOCK COUNTY
PUBLIC LIBRARY
When you know more about your health and how to take care of it, you can be more, do more and have more fun — starting now!