US HISTORY

UNIT 4 ACTIVITY

"AGE OF INVENTION"

From 1865 to 1900 the United States experienced a surge of industrial growth. These years marked the beginning of a Second Industrial Revolution. This new era of industrial transformation began with numerous discoveries and inventions that significantly altered manufacturing, transportation and/or the everyday lives of Americans.

Your job for this activity is to invent something that would alter manufacturing, transportation and/or the everyday lives of Americans today. Your invention must be at least somewhat practical and have a definite purpose. You will draw out a picture of your invention and how it works on tag board that I will provide.

On the date due all invention plans will be displayed for the class to evaluate. There will be no opportunity to make up this project, so if you will not be here you must have someone else bring it to class. (I suggest that you turn it in a day early to make sure it is available).

Your invention will be evaluated using the following criteria (1-4 rating):

Completed picture and description

Picture is complete and it has a description of how it works (using pictures).

Evidence of work

There is evidence that inventor worked to create a quality invention and diagram.

Originality

Invention is not a copy but an original work. OK to take a product and make significant improvements.

Practicality

Invention would actually work to improve manufacturing, transportation and/or the everyday lives of Americans.

Potential impact

To what degree would this invention impact our lives?