Ten of the greatest inventors who helped change the world.

1. Thomas Edison (1847–1931) Edison filed over 1000 patents. He developed and innovated a wide range of products from the electric light bulb to the phonograph and motion picture camera.

2. The Wright Brothers Successfully designed, built and flew the first powered aircraft, showing that man could fly. One of the most important inventions of Twentieth Century.

3. Benjamin Franklin (1705–1790) Polymath who discovered electricity and invented the Franklin stove.

4. Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) Serbian-born scientist who emigrated to the US. He was a brilliant scientist who played a key role in the development of AC electricity, through the AC induction motor, transformer, and Tesla coil. His method of AC electricity has been the template for global electricity use.

5. Charles Babbage (1791–1871) Created first mechanical computer, which proved to be the prototype for future computers. Considered to be the ‘Father of Computers’.

6. James Watt (1736–1819) Inventor of the steam engine, which was critical in the industrial revolution. His invention of a separate condensing chamber greatly improved the efficiency of steam.

7. Alexander Bell (1847–1922) Credited with inventing the first practical telephone. Also worked on optical telecommunications, aeronautics and hydrofoils.

8. Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519) One of the greatest ever minds. He invented models that proved workable 3-500 years later.

9. Galileo (1564–1642) Developed a powerful telescope and confirmed revolutionary theories about the nature of the world. Also developed an improved compass.

10. Tim Berners Lee Developed the http:// protocol for the internet, making the World Wide Web freely available.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “Top 10 Inventors”, Oxford, UK www.biographyonline.net Published 23rd November 2015

1001 Inventions That Changed the World

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