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| Create & Innovate: Home Grown Innovation, Invention, Home Made Gifts & Games |
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It’s easy to buy things cheaper than you can make them … but there’s something special about your innovation, invention and home made gifts. |
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< Back to Table Of Contents
 | | 06-27-2019
We Enter the Golden Age of Television, 1951, Part 5A: What You Watched: Jackie Gleason, Meet the Press, Peggy Lee . . .
by TV Digest, (Philadelphia) writers
CONTAINS: Fun descriptions of early programming. -music: Peggy Lee & Mel Torme, -comedy: Jackie Gleason, -star personality: Milton Berle, -home: Betty Furness, -news show: Meet the Press, -crime show: Front Page Detective, and more. Can you guess who Emcee's the first TV Marathon for Cerebral Palsy Victims? The Garry Moore Show reminds you that variety shows had musical co-stars.
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 | | 03-21-2019
We Enter the Golden Age of Television, 1951, Part 4: The Business of Content . . . Stars, Ratings & Sponsors
by TV Digest, (Philadelphia) writers
CONTAINS: Will young upstart, Frank Sinatra unseat Milton Berle's top rated show? Will Arthur Godfrey continue to pull $12 million in sponsorship . . . or more important, will Howdy Doody get a boost in production costs? Will Eva Gabor, Ginger Rogers or Dinah Shore get a show of her own? You'll have fun learning the TV stars and show scheduling of 1951 in a background of the profitable/sponsor-able growing television viewing market.
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 | | 11-15-2018
We Enter the Golden Age of Television, 1951, Part 2: Sports Mania but Angered Fans
by TV Digest, (Philadelphia) writers
CONTAINS: A fun overview of the sports available on TV along with a serious look into blackouts of home games. The writers get nasty with the NCAA about blackouts. Then they get on politicians regarding a ban on some Sunday Sports. You'll learn about fan's affection for Roller Derby. Print out the referee signal chart before you watch the Rose Bowl.
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 | | 10-11-2018
We Enter the Golden Age of Television, 1951, Part 1: Growing Industry and Technology
by TV Digest, (Philadelphia) writers
CONTAINS: Fun, first-hand look at the baby TV industry. We have only 106 stations in the United States and the FCC is backed up with applications as well as evaluation of a color TV standard. View a map of our first video cable and microwave connections across the nation. Chuckle when you find out that there is usually one sponsor per show . . . you'll see how much that costs. Learn how to splice in commercials. Learn how to create sound effects.
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 | | 09-13-2018
A Look at Two Famous Inventors, Edison in Retrospect and Ford in Futurespect, 1922
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Brief histories set a background for deeper personal reflections, in the case of Edison and personal philosophies of life, in the case of Ford. Reading their thoughts give us a feel for them as people and you will find some surprises on how they look at a young [you] as future contributors to technology. The four articles flow . . . Edison introducing Ford's insights into local water power and Ford talking of a new semi-rural [happy] society.
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 | | 08-16-2018
Is Radio Coming of Age?, 1922 - Part 3: Hobbyists Learn Radio
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: 1922 style explanations of how radios work highlight the few areas of knowledge required. In building your own "radio-telephone" receiver, wood dowels, cardboard tubes, round head brass screws (for switches) and of course, cotton-covered copper wire should be handy to you. You'll learn how to build an antenna. Articles on coils may be more difficult to understand but you'll feel the context of the 1922 hobbyist.
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 | | 07-19-2018
Is Radio Coming of Age?, 1922 - Part 2: Expanding Broadcasts & Improving Technology
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Dreams of what radio will mean to you. There is already some news and music on radio but the Post Office is thinking of adding communication services via radio. Maps and lists of broadcast stations and their content (news, opera, sermons) are an interesting read. Also, radios are supposed to be easy to operate (not) . . . you'll learn must makes radios tick.
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 | | 06-21-2018
Is Radio Coming of Age?, 1922 - Part 1: The American Consumer
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Our look at the emerging radio market . . . enjoyable uses, ease of operation and price. You'll find spotty programming, lots of knobs to adjust and very high prices for the time. Yet, you'll note booming sales even thought the nation was in recession. America was just becoming accustomed to hearing voice and music over the "ether" and these articles will place you back into the 1922 experience.
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 | | 05-24-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 5b: Transport - By Sea
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Big maritime innovations of the early 1920's. The future engine and sounding technologies are entertaining. There is a sudden shift to the use of Diesel engines in ships and the articles give us technical and financial details of the changes. You'll also find that performance of ships hit a new, mature level which would carry us through World War 2. The profit margins behind the changes are given in some detail.
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 | | 04-26-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 5a: Transport - By Rail
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Train technology does not advance much . . . steam is still king . . . but talk of containerized cargo and branch line innovations give a warming truth of the future. The future of underwater subways in the New York area is entertaining . . . as is testing carbon monoxide poisoning on volunteers. A short article on George Westinghouse is very much worth reading.
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 | | 03-29-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 3-C: Autos - Owner Tips & Gadgets
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: This fun, pictorial part of this 1922 automotive series will give a great feel for auto ownership and maintenance. KNOWLEDGE: Steel versus Wooden Wheels - increase gas mileage - avoid overcharging your battery - Retread your own tires - add oil every morning and much on maintenance. GADGETS: add turn signals - install a luggage box on your running boards - add a drop bumper for when you hit pedestrians - use a child seat - plus many anti-theft devices.
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 | | 03-01-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 3-B: Autos - We Develop Highways
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Outside the cities we had poor roads but began technical planning for the giant task ahead with the design of the "Lincoln Highway." We then learn how we took a scientific approach to pavement design. Bridges and parking are also highlighted. We end this section with a United States road map and the call to travel created by newly possible auto camping and the opening of new National Parks.
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 | | 02-01-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 3-A: Autos - Signs of Development for Our Crude Vehicles
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Improvements/expansions in design and servicing from cute little modifications to the development of the small diesel engine by Eugene Tartrais. We find developments in rubber shock mounting as well as independent suspension. We see long into the future as a unibody concept car is detailed and crankcase ventilation to the intake is demonstrated. You'll see a tire ad promising 8,000 miles of wear.
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 | | 01-04-2018
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 3: Little Advancement In Flight . . . But Big Dreams
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Commercial and sport aircraft have a long way to go before we'll have public acceptance. Article often shows Europe leading the way in commercial applications . . . General Mitchell gives accident statistics of one fatal per 130,000 miles. You'll have fun reading about the sport and experimental applications . . . sport aircraft flying on small engines and experimental applications researching radio navigation and automatic landing methods.
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 | | 12-07-2017
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 2: Using Household Electricity
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: By 1900 cities were getting wired with modern 110 and 220 volt service. By 1922 the cost of electricity came down to below 10¢ per kilowatt-hour. You'll note rather modern applications in our homes and industry, especially in terms of motors and heating elements. Home applications like dishwashers and carpet cleaners grew with industrial applications of electric welders and electric arc searchlights.
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 | | 11-09-2017
Our Technology, 1922 - Part 1: Bridge, Pier and Concrete Construction Methods and Equipment
by Various Popular Science Magazine Writers
CONTAINS: Entertaining pictorial montage of short articles on the state of the art in construction. When compared to the electronics, health and automotive industries, you will find that we had a rather mature state of construction technology. Although the early cement mixer truck may make you chuckle, advances in bridge and pier construction methods as well as associated machinery may surprise you.
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 | | 10-12-2017
Electricity in the Home, 1918 . . . Use Electricity Instead of the Maid-Servant
by Clara Zillessen
CONTAINS: With the Great War utilizing lady manpower in munitions factories, the ladies in this home could not get a maid. The story illustrates the use of the new electric appliances to reduce household workload. This "Hooverized” household had an electric iron, sweeper, washer. dishwasher, sewing machine motor, heating pad, percolator, toaster and grill. Prices of appliances and the cost of electricity is revealed.
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 | | 09-14-2017
Electricity in the Home, 1918 . . . Which Appliances Should You Buy?
by Earl E. Whitehorne
CONTAINS: Your home may have electricity and electric lighting but there are many appliances you can purchase. Our author gives us a frame of thought to help our purchasing decisions. Fans and cooking devices are obvious choices but there is a compelling reason to purchase a heat pad . . . "The water bag must be filled. It cools off. It grows old and leaks. But the heat pad never fails."
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 | | 08-17-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 15: How Will Atomic Energy Enter Our Lives, 1946 -
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Variety of possibilities along with pessimistic and optimistic opinions of the ability to use what we learned about atomic energy . . . some even doubt the feasibility of atomic power plants. The economics of U.235 production cloud the issue but transport and power generation possibilities are given. There's even a chance for medical uses . . . tracking "dyes" within the body for cancer and disease detection. One thing's for sure . . . life will change.
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 | | 06-22-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 13: The Rush to Bomb Nagasaki, August 9, 1945
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Firsthand account of the Nagasaki mission. It did not go smoothly like the Hiroshima mission . . . you will learn not to blame the [management.] It took off two days earlier than planned . . . the weather and equipment were marginal. ". . . It has certainly been a nip-and-tuck affair all the way . . ." But then, " . . . For a few brief moments the city of Nagasaki stood out clearly in broad noontime daylight."
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 | | 05-25-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 12: We Drop One on Hiroshima, August 6, 1945
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Tense yet smooth descriptions of the men on their mission as well as their emotion filled descriptions of the blast. You'll feel the anticipation of Tibbets' crew as the 9 A.M. hour grew near. The crew's descriptions of the blast will engulf you. Our resident author then paints Truman's announcement, surrender request leaflets and the preparation the [Nagasaki] bomb as a new [Japanese philosophy] for a new era.
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 | | 05-04-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 11: B-29 Bomber Crews & Personal Train to Deliver
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: In late 1944 we assembled the men who would deliver the atomic bomb to the Land of the Rising Sun. While they trained at Wendover Utah, our Navy Seabees and Army Engineers transformed parts of Tinian Island in the recently captured Pacific Marianas, into and massive airbase, part of which would support the secret atomic bomb project. There we trained, prepared and at 2:45 AM on August 6, 1945 "the three B-29’s took off from three parallel runways. On the center runway was the 'Enola Gay' with Colonel Tibbets. . ."
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 | | 04-20-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 10: New Mexico: Theory is Proven . . . With a Bang!.
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Drama in an atmosphere of mystic science fiction . . . the place, the uninhabited rough lands of Los Alamos Canyon . . . the people, scientists and fabricators who disappeared from the planet a couple of years earlier . . . the plot, combine unproven theory then demonstrate for quick, applied deployment, the unleashing of ultra-concentrated energy. “Each component did exactly what it was expected to do.”
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 | | 04-06-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 9: Critical Mass & Detonation
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Secrets of mass and ignition methods are revealed . . . well, 1946 style. You will appreciate that the scientists on the Manhattan Project knew so much theory and applied it to successful implementations. The method of shooting Uranium into more Uranium was not even tested for the Hiroshima bomb. The Plutonium meets Plutonium method used in the Nagasaki bomb was, of course, tested at the Trinity site. Author ends with a whimsical outlook on the future of an accidental war.
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 | | 03-23-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 8: Plutonium Production, Hanford Washington
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Arty introduction to the development of Plutonium, [usually] a new man-made element, followed by the challenges designing and constructing the Hanford Engineering Works in Washington state. The process was new, utilizing both atomic reactors then chemical separation processes. Safeguards had to ensure that the Columbia River was not heated or contaminated. The resulting Plutonium was used in the Fat Man bomb used on Nagasaki.
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 | | 03-09-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 7: Uranium Production, Oak Ridge Tennessee
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: This article discusses how we overcame seemingly insurmountable problems in processes and facilities involved with the separation of Uranium 235 from Uranium 238. Little Boy, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, used the first Uranium 235 to come from our Oak Ridge facilities which were constructed beginning 2 years earlier. Some routes to success showed our intelligence . . . other routes showed the use of brute force mentality to ensure success.
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 | | 02-23-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 6: $2 Billion Plants and 300,000 People
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: In order to produce the atomic bomb we had to separate Uranium 235 from 238 in huge quantities as well as convert Uranium into Plutonium. It took unheard of technical planning combined with construction of giant facilities to produce the amount we needed . . . all in an atmosphere of compartmentalization for secrecy. Perhaps the most astonishing story is how we captivated the 300,000 people involved in the project.
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 | | 02-09-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 5: We Need to Develop . . . We Fear the Germans
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Drama: Decisions had to be made on hunches. The atom bomb was used against Japan. . . but, it was developed due to fear of the Germans. Contains a nice discussion of the push for acceptance of the project in the United States then vivid first person descriptions of the heavy water plant sabotage action in Norway. Article ends with the revelation that the Germans were far behind in atomic research.
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 | | 01-26-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 4: We Build a Reactor & Sustain a Chain Reaction! 1942
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Dramatic version of the "Chicago Pile" story, built under the stands of the University of Chicago's football field. Story begins with our 1941 advances in nuclear rearrangement, the transformation of Uranium into Plutonium . . . an easier route for Nazi development of an atomic bomb. We then visit Chicago's "Metallurgical Project," which requires a self-sustaining chain reaction. Click, click, click—twelve hundred, fourteen hundred . . . The atomic age had come in on tiptoe.
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 | | 01-12-2017
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 3: Uranium — Can't Maintain a Chain Reaction,1940
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: 1939 and 1940 were tough years for the American scientists trying to find routes to show that a nuclear chain reaction is possible. We learn that we have to separate fissionable Uranium 235 from neutron absorbing Uranium 238 if we are going to develop nuclear energy. Theory gets closer to reality but still no demonstration of a sustainable chain reaction occurs.
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 | | 12-29-2016
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 2: Search to Split an Atom, Late 1930’s
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Detailed story of the quest to split an atom with an all-star cast. Author casts Enrico Fermi at the Trinity test blast then takes us back to him in Rome. The story weaves through atom splitting in Germany in 1938 then lands at various locations in the United States in 1939. We have the best scientists and we make big advances in the sport of pitching neutrons.
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 | | 12-15-2016
All Brains Together—First to Develop the Atom Bomb, Part 1: Trinity Test & Atoms
by William Laurence, Reporter, New York Times
CONTAINS: Two articles from the author's great book, beginning with an artistically written first hand description of the initial test of the atom bomb then gives simple explanation of atoms, the contrasting methods of nuclear conversion of mass into energy as opposed to chemical changes and then the key to advances in the pursuit of nuclear energy.
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 | | 10-20-2016
New Technology Conquers Traffic Jams . . . Well, Not Quite, New York City, 1921
by Herbert Asbury and Joseph Brinker
CONTAINS: An amusing solution to congestion on New York streets with 1921 technology. 5 signal-men for 5 blocks controlled lighting: Think: Amber indicates you can go on north-and-south streets, green indicates you can go on east-and-west streets and red signals that the traffic direction is about to change. You will respect that they kept multiple lights in a row the same for 5 blocks of quicker traffic flow.
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 | | 10-06-2016
We Make an Atom Bomb, Part 3: In Secret, We Build and Deploy the Bomb
by Wesley Stout, Chrysler Corporation
CONTAINS: Except at the highest staff levels, work on the atom bomb was compartmentalized and secrecy was maintained with interesting methods and by varying personal notions. The scientists at Los Alamos New Mexico figured out how to cause the bomb to detonate. The boys who delivered the bombs to Japan did know and practice their mission . . . "Our world could never be the same again."
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 | | 09-22-2016
We Make an Atom Bomb, Part 2: How can we produce Uranium U-235 or Plutonium?
by Wesley Stout, Chrysler Corporation
CONTAINS: The processes we used to produce the Uranium U-235 used in the Hiroshima bomb and the making of Plutonium which we used in the Nagasaki bomb. We appreciate the importance of making reliable production facilities at Oak Ridge Tennessee and Hanford Washington. “ . . . The product of more than a billion dollars spent at Oak Ridge alone was leaving there in nothing bigger than a brief case . . .”
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 | | 09-08-2016
We Make an Atom Bomb, Part 1: Search for a Chain Reaction
by Wesley Stout, Chrysler Corporation
CONTAINS: Nicely presented, smooth reading, 1947 combination of “Nuclear Physics for Dummies” and an intriguing history of discoveries and deductions about energy release from atoms. After a promotional introduction by Chrysler Corporation, the deductions of Einstein, Rutherford and many others lead to a climax: Princeton’s Bohr and Wheeler find the key to chain reaction.
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 | | 07-28-2016
America’s Early Stunt Pilot: Lincoln Beachey. From Dare-Devil to Dead, 1905-1915
by Hud Weeks
CONTAINS: Blend of human drive and advancing technologies. Lincoln Beachey thrilled crowds across the United States with his airplane exhibitions and increased the drama with his newer "Little Looper" biplane. Expressing new performance parameters Beachey commissioned a new fast monoplane. The crowds watched as he pushed it too far!
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 | | 07-14-2016
We Reap the Grains: Inventions of Mowers & Reapers, 1850’s-1870’s
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: Story of the development of our reapers from flimsy but [correct] design of the 1830's to the current solid, excellent designs (1870's). The author begins with ancient history then transitions to British design attempts in the early 1800's before establishing Hussey's 1834 invention as the template of success.
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 | | 06-16-2016
Our Growing City Problems are Met by Inventions, 1870-1890
by Arthur Schlesinger
CONTAINS: Quick, enjoyable review of inventions we made in the late 1800's to fill the large variety of needs, many created by the concentration of people in our growing cities . . . others enabled by the concentrated markets for improvements in lifestyle. Improvements in streets, water supply, transportation, lighting, communications and firefighting had to keep pace with the growth of the cities.
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 | | 05-05-2016
Our Revolutionary War and Invention.
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: An inspiring "can do" attitude on 1776 America. Mr. Burlingame paints a picture of a new disunited, independent country left to themselves to create the necessities for battle and general living. Clothing, flour, gunpowder, heavy iron products and in general, new inventions were quickly created.
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 | | 04-21-2016
Nikola Tesla Gives Us Radio Waves, 1900
by Vojin Popovié, Professor, Belgrade University
CONTAINS: Not only did Nikola Tesla demonstrate and disseminate information on creation of both hi and low frequency radio waves but his writings gave insightful expansion on uses for them. Tesla invented practical frequency generation methods and showed us the importance of antenna length. The author quotes Tesla often and ends the article with quotes from those who Tesla inspired.
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 | | 04-07-2016
Quotes & Philosophies of Nikola Tesla: Human Welfare - Energy for the World
by Dr. Tomo Bosanac, Zagreb University
CONTAINS: A must read. Author uses many quotes from Tesla's presentations/writings to explain his philosophies toward the world. You will understand his view of worldwide disease, war and how we ideally fit with the environment. Energy is at the center of world welfare but other innovations such as ozone for disinfecting are presented.
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 | | 03-24-2016
Nikola Tesla Gives Us Modern Electrical Motors and Generators, 1896-Today!
by J. C. White, Dean Harrington and Karl Drexler
CONTAINS: Tesla's refusal to accept direct current systems and he pursued the alternating current system which is in use today. We will realize that the generation and use of electricity in our homes and businesses comes from Tesla's inventions of both motors and generators and that those inventions are [modern] today.
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 | | 03-10-2016
Crazy or Genius? Just Who was Nikola Tesla?
by Frank Jenkins, President IEEE Power Engineering Society, N. Y.
CONTAINS: Nice, quick, bio followed by a deeper look into how Tesla lived and thought. Written in 1976, the article presents Nikola Tesla as an unknown or underappreciated scientist. Tesla's inventions are shown to be varied, brilliantly conceived and of large magnitude. Tesla's way of living is presented as related to his idiosyncrasies and many of them are presented.
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 | | 12-17-2015
Steamboats Begin to Transport Goods on Our Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, 1817-1830
by Louis C. Hunter
CONTAINS: Very different and quite interesting version of the story of steamboat development on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. While our author explains the differing accounts of successful and unsuccessful steamboats we get a good feel for how the hull and engine technologies developed plus learn their profitability.
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 | | 11-05-2015
Louis Sullivan’s Architecture: More than "Form Follows Function," Late 1800’s
by Carl Condit
CONTAINS: Unique, artistically written perspective on Louis Sullivan's artistic/humanistic views of architecture. Author uses Sullivan's own written works to explain his enthusiasm and motives. Two bridge designs excite Sullivan who then goes on to design famous buildings and becomes a major influence on American architecture.
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 | | 10-22-2015
We Standardize our Screw Thread System Our Way, Not the British or German Way, 1868.
by Bruce Sinclair
CONTAINS: Pleasant reading for all readers despite the screwy subject. We had no nut and bolt thread standards and simple repairs to your equipment could require special hardware. Philadelphia's William Sellers and the Franklin Institute presented a standardized thread diameter and pitch system in a qualified way and American industry adopted it.
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 | | 10-08-2015
Penny Newspapers Change Our American People, 1830’s
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Just a little compact explanation of our inventions which allowed cheap newspaper printing and much more on the ways information was spread in a new, expanding nation. Penny newspapers came out with a different agenda for the "common man" and the common man's use of information changed ... society changed.
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 | | 09-24-2015
Invention and Emancipation, the Sewing Machine, 1850
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Fantastic article . . . a wonderful use of the story of the sewing machine. It shows us the changing role and freedom of woman in our society, it shows us how patents can be used to benefit competition and grow an industry and it shows how press informed our society about new technology.
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 | | 07-16-2015
Magnetic Sound Recording Part 1; Wire and Tape Machine Development 1900-1945
by John Regnell
CONTAINS: Early developments of wire magnetic sound recorders were shown in the United States as early as 1900. By the 1930's wire recorders were in use in England, Canada and the United States but the German machines of the 1940's, developed for war purposes, gave us magnetic tape. We won WWII so, now anyone could use the patents. RCA and Ampex were interested.
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 | | 05-21-2015
We Make and Export the Best Pianos, 1870
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: A description of the problems and solutions to developing a piano which stays in tune followed by a description of the facilities and equipment of Messrs. Steinway & Sons, producers of the world’s best piano-fortes. You will enjoy the descriptions of labor and machinery in the coal/steam powered factory.
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 | | 05-07-2015
Let There Be Light … Our Gas Light Manufacturing, 1870’s
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: The gas infrastructure of the nation was formed in the cities and gas could be generated locally for rural establishments. We had advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities in the 1870’s. Casting, acid cleaning, acid coloring, electroplating and metal spinning were practiced. Article focuses on a manufacturer with 500 employees.
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 | | 04-23-2015
Affordable Sewing Machines Improve our Life and Society, 1873
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: Excitement: after only 25 years of production, the sewing machine is being perfected and manufactured at prices you can afford. We now (1873) sell 600,000 machines per year. The Horace Greeley style of the article is seen in expressions of excitement over the liberation of both factory workers and consumers.
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 | | 04-09-2015
We Gain Deep Insights into Synthesis … Chemistry, 1800’s–1900’s
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: At first we observed fire, reactions with water and other reactions we termed chemical. We thought we knew chemistry but without knowledge of molecular structures we did little synthesis except by luck. Author adds sad philosophies of the effects of chemistry on war as well as the end of the subsistence farm.
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 | | 03-12-2015
Jerry Vultee Develops Performance Aircraft, 1937
by Robert McLarren plus section by Earl Stahl
CONTAINS: Nice story about one of our first true aeronautical engineers. After “apprenticeships” with the famous names of our early aircraft industry, Gerald Vultee developed well designed, fast aircraft as well as mass production facilities. Article then focuses on an experimental “pusher” design, the XP-54.
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 | | 02-26-2015
How Did American Invention Affect the Civil War? 1861
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Author illustrates inventions of the time and their true effects on war, or perhaps the war’s effects on the inventions and society. The article shows the advances in our nation since the Revolutionary War. Roger Burlingame’s philosophies present a puzzle which you must solve.
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 | | 02-12-2015
Our Carriage Industry 1873, Wooden Carriages, Iron Axels and Springs
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: The carriage section highlights the methods of a quality carriage builder in Philadelphia while the Axels and springs section gives deep insights into drastic improvements in our iron/steel working industry. The company highlighted also begins to produce advanced machinery.
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 | | 01-29-2015
How We Manufactured Soap, 1873
by Horace Greeley, et al.
CONTAINS: A bit of history mixed with the latest (1873) methods for manufacture of soap. “In 1860 more than six million dollars were invested in soap and candle factories in the United States”. Authors highlight one factory’s processes in New York.
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 | | 01-15-2015
We Develop Jet Propulsion, 1902-1942
by Robert McLarren
CONTAINS: Both an interesting development history and a “Turbine Engines for Dummies” article. Between Dr. Sanford Moss’s turbine engine of 1902 and the Whittle/General Electric engine of 1941-42, progress on a useful engine was slow. Finally we successfully fly with them.
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 | | 12-04-2014
Our Craving for Flight … From Da Vinci to the Wrights
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Unique concentration of inventor’s methods of accomplishment plus their social environment in the pursuit of flight. Written in 1940, our famed author is obviously upset by aviation’s grim uses in war but ends on a positive, future looking note.
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 | | 11-20-2014
Capital, Movement of Labor and Invention
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Everyone must take a minute to read section § 1, an apolitical philosophy on the movement of labor, capital and of course, invention which changed the way many of us lived. The rest of the article illustrates these concepts while highlighting some interesting inventions.
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 | | 09-11-2014
We Get a Taste of Television, 1940
by Donald C. Fink, Managing Editor, Electronics Magazine
CONTAINS: Wonderfully easy to understand, semi-technical, in-depth explanation of how television works/worked and its 1940 experimental environment. Commercial receivers have just become available but few of us would buy one.
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 | | 08-28-2014
Our Need for Speed: the Yankee Clipper, 1850’s
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: A bold departure from normal practice. We develop long and narrow ships to deliver goods where time is money. United States seamen were considered among the best and could handle these stallions of the sea.
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 | | 08-14-2014
We Develop Steel Wire for Fence, Rope and Structures, Late 1800’s.
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Demand for barbed wire, peculiar to our westward expansion, was the driving force behind a new industry, hence the United States became a manufacturing center for barbed, structural and electrical wire used in our everyday life.
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 | | 07-31-2014
We Invent to Improve Our Submarines
by Herbert Zim
CONTAINS: Rather easy and interesting reading for such a deep subject. Power for the submarine transformed into an early form of a hybrid, petroleum/electric vehicle. Multiple factors and systems help the submarine dive and ascend. A most difficult task was to keep the crew’s air breathable.
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 | | 06-10-2014
We Invent to Record What We See, Photography
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Great article. Invention is inspired, limited and sometimes accepted by society. Invention can change society. Our author claims that photography gave creativity back to the pencil and brush artist.
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 | | 04-01-2014
The Strange Course of American Trails to Highways, 1700-1900
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: Classic Burlingame style presentation. Easy enouph … Wagons, rail, bicycles then automobiles drove our appropriations for their infrastructure … but Burlingame relates our underlying philosophies towards transportation.
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 | | 03-18-2014
Our Work in Factories Gets a Breath of Fresh Air, 1880s
by Floyd Darrow, Brooklyn Polytechnic Preparatory Day School
CONTAINS: Benjamin Franklin Sturtevant invents blowers and suction devices which improve our work environment plus allow easier transfer of ground materials and control chimney function. Unlike many other inventions, his was accepted from the beginning.
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 | | 03-04-2014
We the Colonists Take Iron Processing into Our Own Hands
by Roger Burlingame
CONTAINS: As much a political history of colonial discontent with British policy as descriptions of our need to invent iron processes. Burlingame uses his characteristic writing style to teach history plus basics of processing iron in one interesting article.
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 | | 02-18-2014
We Put Steam to Work
by W. F. Decker
CONTAINS: Water power or horse power would not meet the energy needs of a manufacturing nation. From early British steam engines we develop powerful engines for local work and in the 1920s steam turbines revolutionize the generation of electricity.
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 | | 01-21-2014
The Story of the American Lumbering Industry, 1850 – 1924.
by Joseph Illick, Pennsylvania State School of Forestry
CONTAINS: We had lots of lumber to build our nation. American ingenuity gradually supplemented American sweat to harvest our forests. Also, nice section on the life of lumbermen.
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 | | 01-07-2014
A New Form of Enjoyment. We Invent Motion Pictures, 1894
by Henry David Hubbard, U.S. Bureau of Standards
CONTAINS: More than just the events leading up to C. Francis Jenkins invention of both the motion picture camera and projector. Written in 1924, it also looks at methods in the glamorous, new motion picture industry.
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 | | 12-24-2013
Coal Changes our Nation, 1820-1920
by Floyd L. Darrow
CONTAINS: Our transition from a wood burning to a coal burning society occurred with skepticism but inventors showed us how to use it, mine it more efficiently and safely. Compressed air and electricity help mining solutions.
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 | | 10-03-2013
No More Pricked Fingers … We Invent the Sewing Machine
by John Walker Harrington
CONTAINS: We didn’t have a lot of clothing since we made our clothes slowly. The sewing machine allowed factories to make clothing cheaply. Later we would have sewing machines in our homes.
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 | | 09-19-2013
We Learn to Make Clothing From Cotton
by Howard Rockey
CONTAINS: Our clothing was expensive to produce and Great Britain forbade the export of its textile machinery. We copied their machines and later became the best inventors of new processes.
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 | | 07-18-2013
Electricity Gives Us Local Trains and Buses, 1870
by T. Commerford Martin
CONTAINS: While steam locomotives were chugging their way across our country, urban America needed locomotion to replace horses in the city. Electric transport developed to meet the challenge.
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 | | 05-09-2013
We Produce Iron & Steel
by L. W. Spring
CONTAINS: A hot topic! Early history of smelting iron through transportation innovations which enabled our huge industrial base.
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 | | 04-26-2012
Edison Invents the Phonograph, 1877
by George S. Bryan
CONTAINS: Young Edison invents and improves the phonograph but it will be years before it's a commercial success.
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