Ask kids to name famous inventors, and you might get Thomas Edison or Henry Ford as a response. And while they definitely belong on this list, they’re just the start of the innovators and inventors that kids ought to know. Some of these are household names, while others deserve more recognition for inventions that have become essential to daily life.
For each one, you’ll find resources for more information and hands-on activities to help kids learn more about their achievements. Perhaps they’ll be inspired to become famous inventors themselves!
Famous Black Inventors
Throughout much of history, people of color often weren’t recognized for their contributions in any field, including innovation. Rectify that by sharing these famous Black inventors with your students, showing them that ingenuity includes plenty of diversity.
Known for: At a time when most Black men in the United States were slaves, Jennings was born free in New York City. He was the first African American to hold a patent for a process known as “dry scouring.” Today we call it dry cleaning. (1791–1856)
Known for: Though he’s often said to have invented peanut butter, Carver’s many achievements didn’t actually include that popular product. Instead, he gave the world 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. (1864–1943)
Garrett Morgan, US Department of Transportation, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Garrett Morgan: Traffic Signal
Known for: Morgan started his career working with sewing machines, repairing and patenting improvements. Later, he invented a “safety hood” that became the precursor to World War I gas masks. But ultimately, his biggest achievement was the three-way traffic light, which was the first to include a warning light—today’s “yellow light.” (1877–1963)
Known for: Carbon filaments enabled light bulbs to burn brighter and last longer, and Latimer perfected the process of producing these filaments on a mass scale. He worked on other projects alongside famous inventors like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, earning seven patents of his own. (1848–1928)
Try this: Experiment by building your own light bulb and testing different filaments to see which burn brightest and last longest.
Granville T. Woods, The Cosmopolitan, 1895, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Granville T. Woods: Railroad Telegraph
Known for: In the 1800s, fast-moving trains had no way to communicate with each other or with railroad stations, meaning they couldn’t alert anyone in an emergency. Woods changed that with his induction telegraph, which used static electricity from the telegraph lines that ran alongside railroad tracks at the time. (1856–1910)
Known for: If you enjoy a cool dairy treat on a hot day, you’ve probably used a version of Cralle’s most famous invention: the modern ice cream scoop. Working in a drugstore, he noticed those working in the soda fountain had trouble getting ice cream off the spoon. He developed the one-handed self-dispensing scoop, and ice cream history was made. (1866–1920)
Try this: Make your own ice cream in a bag, then use a Cralle-inspired scoop to enjoy it!
James West, Sonavi Labs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
James West: Electret Microphone
Known for: Dr. West invented the foil electret microphone, a condenser-type microphone. This technology is used in 90% of today’s microphone equipment. This includes cell phones, recording equipment, and even hearing aids. (Born 1931)
Known for: Any kid who’s ever played with a Super Soaker or Nerf Blaster has Dr. Johnson to thank! He spent much of his career working for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and his innovations in aerospace technology are legendary. (Born 1949)
Like those made by people of color, women’s inventions have also been overlooked for centuries. These incredible and ingenious women inventors will remind your students that the only limitations we have are those we place on ourselves.
Known for: Cochrane wanted a way to make dishwashing more efficient. After tinkering around in a shed in the backyard, she designed a machine that would heat water, add soap, and shoot it out in jet streams over dishes held in place by a rack. Others had tried to make dishwashing machines before, but Cochrane’s design was the one that finally caught on and is the same basic concept used today. (1839–1913)
Known for: It’s hard to imagine a car without windshield wipers, but someone had to invent them, and that person was Mary Anderson. She developed them with trolley cars in mind, after a disappointing sightseeing trip where rain and ice cut the visibility. The device worked manually, operated from inside the car by a lever. Simple, effective, and incredibly useful. (1866–1953)
Try this: Find out if windshield wipers clean just as well using only water compared to expensive washer fluid. Can you concoct an inexpensive windshield washer fluid at home?
Known for: When a medical condition caused her to lose much of her hair, Madam Walker invented a treatment system that completely revolutionized Black hair care. She went on to become the first Black female millionaire in the United States. (1867–1919)
Known for: Bentz loved her morning coffee, but not the grounds at the bottom of her cup and the mess in the pot. One day, she ripped some blotting paper from a pad and strained her coffee through it. She was thrilled with the results, and she and her husband started the Melitta company. It’s now an international organization selling coffee, coffee makers, and (of course) paper coffee filters. (1873–1950)
Known for: If you’ve ever tried to take a picture through a window only to capture your own reflection, you’ll appreciate the work Blodgett did to create non-reflective glass. It’s used in eyeglasses, microscopes, cameras, and thousands of other applications today. Blodgett was also the first woman to earn a PhD in Physics from the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge. Talk about smashing through a (non-reflective) glass ceiling! (1898–1979)
Known for: When Hopper first started working with computers, they took up entire rooms. But she believed that one day they’d become more widely used and became one of the earliest computer programmers. She invented the first compiler, a program that translates programming code to machine language. (1906–1992)
Try this: Check out the Hour of Code program to learn how kids of all ages can learn computer coding in fun and easy ways.
Dr. Virginia Apgar, World Journal Tribune photo by Al Ravenna, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Virginia Apgar: Apgar Score
Known for: Immediately after birth, babies undergo quick tests to determine the general health of the newborn. Apgar designed and implemented the tests, which are simple and easy to administer. They can help determine if a baby needs resuscitation or respiratory support, as well as identify any potential issues. Today, thousands of babies born every day around the world receive Apgar scores when they’re born. (1909–1974)
Hedy Lamarr, Los Angeles Times via Wikimedia Commons
Hedy Lamarr: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Technology
Known for: Here’s another famous scientist who didn’t directly invent our current technologies, but instead did the foundational work that makes it possible. After a successful career as an actress, Lamarr pivoted to science during World War II. She and her partner George Antheil developed “frequency hopping” radio waves. They were intended to help torpedoes find their target, but today are used as part of the technology that gives us Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more. (1914–2000)
Known for: Do you have a home security system? You can thank Marie Van Brittan Brown for it. She filed her patent in 1966, and it includes innovations still used today. She’s also known for the invention of closed-circuit TV. (1922–1999)
Stephanie Kwolek, Chemical Heritage Foundation via Wikimedia Commons
Stephanie L. Kwolek: Kevlar
Known for: Kwolek worked for Dupont, where she was tasked with finding next-generation fiber that could withstand extreme conditions. It turned out to be Kevlar, which is incredibly strong and also heat-resistant. Used extensively by the armed forces and police, Kevlar also makes appearances in items like bicycle tires and racing sails. (1923–2014)
Try this: Do your own experiment to test the strength of various fibers, like acrylic yarn, cotton string, silk thread, and more.
Helen Murray Free, National Science and Technology Medals Foundation, Ryan K. Morris via Wikimedia Commons
Helen Murray Free: Glucose Testing Strips
Known for: Along with her husband, Alfred, Free developed a simple urine test for glucose levels that doctors could perform in their office with no fancy equipment. Eventually, they realized the test could also be used by patients at home with special testing strips. They even developed a more encompassing test strip that could perform 10 different urinalysis tests in one. (1923–2021)
Known for: In the days of typewriters, fixing a typo wasn’t as easy as just clicking a few buttons. Graham, a secretary whose hobby was art, wished she could “paint over” her mistakes at work like she could on canvas. So, she invented Liquid Paper, starting the business in her own kitchen. While correction fluids aren’t as popular now as they once were, Graham’s invention was a lifesaver for typists for decades. (1924–1980)
Try this: Graham mixed up the first Liquid Paper in her kitchen using tempera paint and a few other ingredients. Try making your own correct fluid in a rainbow of colors!
Known for: While West didn’t directly invent the map app that’s on your phone, she was responsible for Seastat, an ocean surveillance satellite project that helped collect and analyze data. This grew into GEOSTAT, a program that precisely calculates the orbits of satellites. It’s that technology that enables the GPS devices and apps we rely on today. (Born 1930)
Known for: Kids may not give a lot of thought to cataracts, but they should still know about Dr. Bath. She was the first African American female doctor to receive a medical patent. She invented the Laserphaco Pro probe, which revolutionized cataract surgery. (1942–2019)
Known for: This is one super-cool invention: Thomas’s Illusion Transmitter makes 3D images appear to float in space! This technology uses concave mirrors to create an optical illusion, and is used in virtual reality, medical imaging, and more. (Born 1943)
Known for: Dr. Tsukamoto is on the cutting edge of one of the most exciting new technologies: stem cells. She holds several patents for the technology to isolate various types of stem cells. (Born 1952)
Known for: Gutenberg was the first European to invent the printing press. The movable type he used made mass printing possible and brought books and reading to the masses. (c. 1400–1468)
Known for: Da Vinci was the original Renaissance Man. He was a gifted artist, but he also invented a wide array of technologies. These include the aerial screw, which led to modern helicopters, and an underwater diving suit that was the precursor to today’s scuba gear. (1452–1519)
Known for: This Founding Father was an innovator in more ways than one, and he was among history’s most famous inventors. His inventions include the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove. (1706–1790)
Known for: When he wasn’t writing the Declaration of Independence or being president, Jefferson loved to tinker. His swivel chair was an instant hit, and he also created the dumbwaiter system. (1743–1826)
Known for: Fulton got his start as an artist, but it was his interest in steam engines that turned him into one of the most famous inventors. He used and improved on the technology of the time to make the first commercial steamboats. (1765–1815)
Known for: In his work as a professional scene painter for the opera, Daguerre began experimenting with camera obscura for painting large backdrops. Over time, he worked to develop the daguerreotype, the precursor of modern photography. (1787–1851)
Known for: Yet another artist-turned-inventor, Morse is best known for developing the electric telegraph, which allowed people to communicate over long distances nearly instantly. He also developed Morse code: a system of dots and dashes used to send these messages. (1791–1872)
Try this: Learn Morse code and tap out messages to friends and family.
Louis Bachrach, Bachrach Studios, restored by Michel Vuijlsteke, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Thomas Alva Edison: Light Bulb and More
Known for: Edison is one of the most famous inventors of all time. He was prolific, but his best-known inventions include the incandescent light bulb, phonograph, and an early movie camera. (1847–1931)
Known for: Edison and Tesla’s rivalry is well known. 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, among other inventions. (1856–1943)
Known for: 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. (Auguste Lumière: 1862–1954, Louis Lumière: 1864–1948)
Known for: Ford not only popularized the automobile, he also brainstormed the assembly line. This allowed mass production of his incredibly popular Model T and other cars. (1863–1947)
Known for: When the Wright Flyer took off from Kitty Hawk and flew for 12 seconds, the Wright brothers made history! Their flight marked the first engine-powered manned aircraft. (Wilbur Wright: 1867–1912, Orville Wright:1871–1948).
Known for: Marconi changed the way humans communicated by developing the first effective system of radio communication. He sent the first radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901. (1874–1937)
Known for: One of the most famous inventors around, Bell gave the world the telephone. Many of his other inventions were focused on helping the deaf, sparked by his desire to help his wife, Mabel, who lost her hearing at the age of 5. (1847–1922)
In the 20th century and beyond, inventors have moved technology forward in leaps and bounds, further than ever before. These are the folks leading us forward into the future!
Known for: Bloodmobiles are a common sight these days, thanks to Dr. Drew. He invented a way to process and store blood plasma, eventually managing two of the largest blood banks during World War II. (1904–1950)
Known for: If you love some classic screen time, thank Philo Farnsworth. His all-electronic television system made TV one of the world’s favorite pastimes. (1906–1971)
Known for: While kids may not know Baer’s name, they’re sure to love his accomplishments. He’s known as the “Father of the Video Game” and helped develop some of the earliest gaming consoles. (1922–2014)
Try this: Use an app like Roblox to design and create your own video game experience.
Steve Wozniak, Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Steve Jobs, MetalGearLiquid, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs: Apple Computers
Known for: “Woz and Jobs” are two of the most famous inventors of the 20th century. Though Jobs went on to become more well known, he and Wozniak worked together to build the Apple I, the home computer that launched a revolution. (Wozniak: Born 1950; Jobs: 1955–2011)
Known for: Over the last couple of years or so, Tsai’s invention has suddenly become world-famous. He created the N95 respirator mask, which helps keep people safe against airborne viruses. (Born 1952)
Known for: If you’re reading this right now, thank Tim Berners-Lee. In 1991, he launched the World Wide Web, and the internet as we know it was born, making him one of the great famous inventors. (Born 1955)
Known for: Petite has made major contributions to wireless technologies, including the components of the Smart Grid. He founded the Native American Intellectual Property Enterprise Council to help fellow Native American inventors. (Born 1956)
Known for: Every time you plug your phone in to charge or attach a component to your laptop, you can thank Ajay Bhatt for inventing USB technology. (Born 1957)
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