What are inventors and inventions?

An invention is a useful creation that didn't exist before, and inventors are the people that create them.

An invention usually fills a need or solves a problem, often making the world a better place.

Inventions can be things like a cell phone or backpack. They can also be ideas like inventing new method for tying a knot.

​Inventions often make something better, faster, stronger, easier, or safer. It might also make an object more efficient, attractive, useful, or fun. As long as the invention represents a new way of doing something, it is still an invention, even if it is not necessarily better than what existed before.

Inventions and the Railroad

As the railroad’s popularity progressed, trains needed to be safer and more efficient.

Black American inventors like Granville T. Woods, Frederick McKinley Jones, and Elijah McCoy, and a woman named Olive Wetzel Dennis pioneered and invented technologies that helped make traveling by rail safer and more comfortable. Their names may not be familiar, but we celebrate them and their outstanding contributions to the railroad.​

Woods invented a telegraph system that operated on the static electricity from existing telegraph lines that ran parallel to the railroad tracks. This made it possible to send messages between trains and rail stations.

Like text messaging today, telegraphs allowed for instant communication. This induction telegraph system let trains communicate their location, unscheduled stops, and accidents in real time.

Granville T. Woods and his invention of an Induction Telegraph System made the rails safer and more efficient.

In 1927 Jones worked as an electrical engineer in the movie theatre business. He created numerous devices to help that industry. At some point, he and his partner, Joseph Numero turned from the movie business and focused on refrigeration. They established the U.S. Thermo Control Company, later known as Thermo King.

By the 1930s, Jones perfected mechanical refrigeration systems for long-haul trucks and railroad cars. This revolutionized distribution methods of transporting perishables over long distances in the United States. During World War II, he created an air-conditioning unit for military field hospitals used to aid in the transport of blood and medicine to the front lines, saving many lives. ​

This was the fuel that made the train run. Firemen also had to apply oil to the moving parts of the engine. Trains made frequent stops for this upkeep. It was a difficult, dangerous job.

McCoy knew that continually stopping the train to lubricate the engine wasted a great deal of time. He studied the mechanics of the situation for two years until he invented an automatic oil drip cup. His invention evenly applied oil to the train's moving parts while the train was in motion. It changed rail travel by making it safer and more efficient.

The Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad hired Olive in 1920. For the next 31 years, she developed ways to make railroad travel more comfortable. Air-conditioning, footrests, reclining seats, and stain-resistant fabric were all innovations of Olive W. Dennis. Buses, trains and airplanes still offer these luxuries.

You can be an Inventor too!

The key to inventing is identifying a need and coming up with an original solution. Here is how you do it:

This is the process of inventing:

• Identify a problem or how something can be improved.
• Talk to people who might use the invention.
• Brainstorm creative solutions to a problem; try making connections between seemingly unrelated things.
• Experiment with your solutions.
• Apply science and engineering concepts.
• Use tools, materials, and techniques to make workable solutions.
• If things do not work out on your first try, do not give up. Try again!
• Be motivated, persistent, and dedicated to your project.

Invent a game

Invent an indoor game for one or two people that gets you moving. Make sure you can play this game in the space of your living room.

Inventing a game might require a new piece of equipment or making up new rules to an old, familiar game.

• Find the tools you will need such as rubber bands, balls, spoons, cardboard, tinfoil, plastic bags, tape, paper, string, or any other craft supplies you can think of.
• Make a list of action words like toss, roll, throw, catch, shoot, spin, paddle, etc.
• Now, mix and match the tools you gathered with these actions. For example: Paper Toss or Spoon Catch, etc.
• Build, test, and redesign your game. This could take a while, but remember, inventors do not give up! If it feels impossible, work on making one part of your game at a time.

Click this link and record a video explaining your invention.

Keep your eyes open and look for ways to invent a better world for the people around you!