http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors en Copyright 2013, History.com Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-25T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo1 Benjamin Franklin's inventions included the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove and the odometer. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo2 In 1794, Eli Whitney received a patent for his cotton gin, which separated cotton fibers from seeds. The machine's success led to both massive growth in American cotton production and a substantial increase in the importation of slave labor. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo3 Inventor Samuel Colt created the revolver and became one of the largest armory manufacturers in the world. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo4 In 1855, Samuel Colt began construction of a massive firearms manufacturing company in Hartford, Connecticut. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo5 Thomas Edison was one of the most prolific American inventors, creating the phonograph, light bulb, motion picture camera and hundreds of other items. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo6 Italian inventor and Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi’s radio was the first to demonstrate workable wireless radio communication. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo7 The father of mass production and the modern assembly line, Henry Ford revolutionized American industry. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo8 On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright tested their first powered aircraft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. http://www.history.com/photos/inventions-inventors/photo8