an early American pioneer and inventor. Some sources state that she was the first American woman to receive a patent, however others state that Mary Dixon Kies, in 1809, was the first. In 1793, Samuel Slater showed Hannah some very smooth yarn he had spun fro...

an early American pioneer and inventor. Some sources state that she was the first American woman to receive a patent, however others state that Mary Dixon Kies, in 1809, was the first. In 1793, Samuel Slater showed Hannah some very smooth yarn he had spun from long staple Surinam cotton. He intended to use it to produce cloth, however Hannah and her sister used a hand spinning wheel to spin it into thread; the resultant thread proved to be stronger than linen thread. The same year, Hannah Slater applied to the U.S. Patent Office for a patent for an invention - a new method of producing sewing thread from cotton. The patent was issued in the name of "Mrs Samuel Slater".

an American lawyer, engineer, and inventor who constructed the first U.S. steam locomotive, first steam-powered ferry, and first U.S. commercial ferry service from his estate in Hoboken. He was influential in the creation of U.S. patent law. After his graduation from King's College, he studied law and was admitted to the bar of New York City in 1771. He prac...

an American lawyer, engineer, and inventor who constructed the first U.S. steam locomotive, first steam-powered ferry, and first U.S. commercial ferry service from his estate in Hoboken. He was influential in the creation of U.S. patent law. After his graduation from King's College, he studied law and was admitted to the bar of New York City in 1771. He practiced law in New York and lived across the river. At public auction, he bought from the state of New Jersey a piece of land which had been confiscated from a Tory landowner. The land, described as "William Bayard's farm at Hoebuck" comprised approximately what is now the city of Hoboken.

an American inventor from Poughkeepsie, New York. Samuel Slocum traveled to England. While in England, he invented a machine for the production of pins. These pins later became flat head pins (similar to staples). A short time later he moved back to the United States, to Poughkeepsie, NY and formed a pin manufacturing company, Slocum and Jillson, which inven...

an American inventor from Poughkeepsie, New York. Samuel Slocum traveled to England. While in England, he invented a machine for the production of pins. These pins later became flat head pins (similar to staples). A short time later he moved back to the United States, to Poughkeepsie, NY and formed a pin manufacturing company, Slocum and Jillson, which invented a "Machine for Sticking Pins into Paper", which is often believed to be the first stapler. In fact, this patent from September 30, 1841, Patent #2275, is for a device used for packaging pins.

an American engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur who left a bequest that was used to establish the Stevens Institute of Technology. At an early age Stevens was entrusted by his father with the family business affairs, and in 1821 at the age of 26 he assumed full responsibility for the Stevens estate in Hoboken and other properties. Also in 1821, he developed...

an American engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur who left a bequest that was used to establish the Stevens Institute of Technology. At an early age Stevens was entrusted by his father with the family business affairs, and in 1821 at the age of 26 he assumed full responsibility for the Stevens estate in Hoboken and other properties. Also in 1821, he developed the "Jeef Beef," a cast-iron plow with a curved moldboard and replaceable heel piece. The plow was popular among New Jersey farmers.

an American inventor, actor, and businessman. He made important improvements in the design of the sewing machine and was the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Many had patented sewing machines before Singer, but his success was based on the practicality of his machine, the ease with which it could be adapted to home use, and its availability on a...

an American inventor, actor, and businessman. He made important improvements in the design of the sewing machine and was the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Many had patented sewing machines before Singer, but his success was based on the practicality of his machine, the ease with which it could be adapted to home use, and its availability on an installment payment basis. Singer fathered at least 24 children with various wives and mistresses.

a German-American immigrant who had a shop dealing in rubber products in Manhattan, New York City, United States. In 1845, he began supplying fittings and valves for rubber products made by the Goodyear Brothers, including air pillows and life preservers. He also made daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly thereafter, he went into partnership with Christian Baeche...

a German-American immigrant who had a shop dealing in rubber products in Manhattan, New York City, United States. In 1845, he began supplying fittings and valves for rubber products made by the Goodyear Brothers, including air pillows and life preservers. He also made daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly thereafter, he went into partnership with Christian Baecher, a brass turner and finisher. After watching divers at work nearby, Schrader sought to improve the diving helmets of the era. In 1849, he created a new copper helmet. Later, his interest in diving led to him to design an air pump. Later, he created the Shrader valve for pneumatic tires, still used today.

an American inventor. He was educated at the public schools, and became noted as an apiarist. He also turned his attention to inventing, and on October 9, 1855, patented (U.S. Patent 13,668) the steam calliope, used on Mississippi steamerboats. He also invented the Stoddard horse-rake, patented in 1879. More than 100,000 of his rakes were produced. Other inv...

an American inventor. He was educated at the public schools, and became noted as an apiarist. He also turned his attention to inventing, and on October 9, 1855, patented (U.S. Patent 13,668) the steam calliope, used on Mississippi steamerboats. He also invented the Stoddard horse-rake, patented in 1879. More than 100,000 of his rakes were produced. Other inventions included a fruit-paring machine, a hay-tedder and a fire escape system, patented 1884.

an American scientist, photographer, and astronomer. He was born in New London, Connecticut and graduated from Yale in 1839, where he constructed the largest telescope in the country at the time in 1838. In 1848 Smith wrote "The World", one of the first science textbooks written in America. Smith is best known for patenting the tintype photographic process, ...

an American scientist, photographer, and astronomer. He was born in New London, Connecticut and graduated from Yale in 1839, where he constructed the largest telescope in the country at the time in 1838. In 1848 Smith wrote "The World", one of the first science textbooks written in America. Smith is best known for patenting the tintype photographic process, which popularized photography in America.