Invention Collection (#90)

Cover of Genius Rewarded, or the History of the Singer Sewing Machine, 1880. American inventor and manufacturer Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) patented his famous sewing machine in 1851

Invention of the Singer sewing machine, 1850 (1880). American inventor Isaac Merrit Singer (1811-1875) adjusting the tension on his sewing machine in a last desperate attempt to make it work in

Benefits of using the Singer sewing machine, 1880. A home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewifes industry with the help of the sewing machine invented by Isaac

Isaac Merrit Singers first sewing machine, patented in 1851 (1880). From Genius Rewarded or the Story of the Sewing Machine. (New York, 1880)

Sewing machine by Isaac Merritt Singer, 1880. A woman operating a treadle version of the sewing machine invented by Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) in 1851

Death of Icarus, 18th century engraving
Death of Icaros. According to legend, in order to escape from Crete, Daedalus made wings of wax and feathers for himself and his son

Autogiro, designed by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva, 1928
Autogiro (1928), designed by Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva (Cordoniu) 1896-1936. From Le Petit Inventeur, Paris, 1928

Daedalus and Icaros fitted with their wings. According to legend, in order to escape from Crete, Daedalus made wings of wax and feathers for himself and his son

Edison carbon telephone, 1879. Wood engraving

Sending and receiving apparatus with battery box at base, Edison carbon telephone, 1890. Solid metal diaphragm. Wood engraving

Wall-mounted Edison carbon telephone with pony-crown receiver, New York, 1879. Wood engraving

Edison telephone in a wall-mounted box, New York, 1890. Wood engraving

New York telephone subscriber making call through operator at telephone exchange, 1883. Apparatus in picture used an Edison transmitter and a pony-crown receiver

Edison transmitter and a pony crown receiver, New York, c1891. Telephone apparatus available to New York subscribers. This used an Edison transmitter and a pony crown receiver

Cross-section of Edisons lamp-black (carbon) button telephone transmitter (microphone), c1891. Wood engraving

Inuit Strap Drill for making fire from Western Alaska. Eskimo

Fire engine, from Georg Andreas Bocklers Theatrum Machinarum Novum, 1673. Artist: Georg Andreas Bockler
Fire engine. From Georg Andreas Bocklers Theatrum Machinarum Novum, Nuremberg, 1673. Engraving

Fire engine, from Isaac de Caus Nouvelle Invention de Lever l Eau Plus Hault, 1664. Artist: Isaac de Caus
Fire engine, from Isaac de Caus Nouvelle Invention de Lever l Eau Plus Hault, 1664. Engraving

Babbages difference machine, 1864. Artist: Charles Babbage
Babbages difference machine. From Charles Babbage Passages from the Life of a Philosopher, London, 1864. Engraving

Hydraulic coal cutting machine, named The Iron Man, 1867
Hydraulic coal cutting machine, named The Iron Man, in position on rail track undergground in a coal seam. Made by Carrett, Marshall & Co. and shown at the Paris International Exposition of 1867

Mademoiselle Claire, an automaton built by Robert Herdner, 1912. Artist: Robert Herdner
Mademoiselle Claire, an automaton built by Robert Herdner, used by him at l Hopital Bretonneau to hand out surgical instruments from tgrolley. From Le Petit Journal, Paris, 18 August 1912

Spectroscope, 1872. Instrument of the type developed by Robert Bunsen (1811-1899) and Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824-1887) during the 1850s

Lesage experimenting with the first electric telegraph, Geneva, 1774 (1876). George Louis Lesage (1724-1803), Swiss scientist, devised an early form of electric telegraph

Incandescent filament lamp, glow-lamp, by Lane-Fox, 1883
Incandescent filament electric lamp, glow-lamp, by Lane-Fox, 1883. St George Lane-Fox-Pitt (1856-1932) took out a number of patents for filament lamps between 1878 and 1881

Street in Newcastle Upon Tyne lit by Swan incandescent electric lamps, 1883. In January 1879 Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914)

Advertisement for The Vacuum Cleaner Company, 1906. This company adopted Hubert Cecil Booths patent of 1901 which used suction to collect dust

John Logie Baird (1888-1946), Scottish electrical engineer and pioneer of television, 1920s. Baird giving an early television ( Seeing by wireless ) demonstration

Colt revolver, c1880. The Colt revolver, invented by Samuel Colt (1814-1862). After the Mexican war of 1846-1848, Colts weapon was adopted by the US army

Sectional view of the Colt revolver, c1880. The Colt revolver, invented by Samuel Colt (1814-1862). After the Mexican war of 1846-1848, Colts weapon was adopted by the US army

Baron von Draiss bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. Artist: Baron von Drais
Baron von Draiss bicycle (Draisienne). Exhibited Paris 1818. From Mechanics Magazine, London, September, 1832

Goubet II, French electrically powered submarine adopted by the Russian government, 1890. In trials at Cherbourg in 1889 this submarine, designed by French engineer Claude Goubet

Primitive bicycle, a form of dandy horse, c1818. The dandy or hobby horse was the forerunner of the bicycle and was invented by Baron von Drais in France in 1817

The Electric Torchlight Procession in New York, USA, 1884. A torchlight parade in New York using Edison incandescent lamps fixed to the participants hats

Coffee or tea making machine heated by a small spirit lamp, 1900. A glamorous woman operating a complex-looking apparatus designed to make hot drinks. From a periodical on inventions. (Paris 1900)

Turtle, submarine designed by David Bushnell, 1787. Bushnell (1742-1824) built the Turtle, the first American submarine, in 1776

American vessel Turtle (1776), the first submarine to be used in war, 19th century. Designed by David Bushnell (1742-1824)

Cyrus McCormicks reaping machine, 1862. Patented in America in 1831and shown at the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace, London, 1851, it was the first widely adopted mechanical reaper

Machine Room in a Steam Sewing Factory, 1854. This view is of Holloway, Crowe & Holloways clothing factory, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England

Wilson sewing machine, 1880. Belt-driven lock-stick model for industrial use showing samples of work that could be produced

Domestic sewing machine powered by steam, 1883. Woman sewing with a machine powered by a steam motor placed on top of a domestic range. From La Nature. (Paris, 1883)

Small lockstick sewing machine, 1886. Patented in 1881, this small sewing machine weighing approx 226g (8oz) could be mounted on a table top. From Cassells Family Magazine. (London, 1886)

John Logie Bairds first television demonstration, 1926. Photograph taken from the screen of his first Televisor

First model of Edisons Phonograph c1877 (c1880). In this model the recording cylinder was rotated by hand. The message to be recorded was spoken into the mouthpiece at A

American Steam Velocipede, three-wheeler by Sauerbronn-Davis, wood engraving, published 1888
American Steam Velocipede. Historical three-wheeler with steam drive by Sauerbronn-Davis from 1883. Wood engraving, published in 1888

Wool Machinery
circa 1850: Ferrabee & Cos wool lap machine. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Map of Kensington museums area, London
A rough sketch map of the area used for the then Royal Horticultural Gardens and museums in the Kensington area, London, including the proposed Natural History Museum

Transistor Model 1951
Picture dated 1951 showing a model of transistor, during a radio show. The worlds first transistor was invented in 1947 by US scientists William Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain

Miniature M-1 Transistors 1956
Picture dated 1956 of miniature M-1 transistors seen on the face of a ten-cent piece, the smallest yet developed. The worlds first transistor was invented in 1947 by US scientists William Shockley

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"Invention: A Journey Through Time and Imagination" Step into the whimsical world of William Heath Robinson, a mastermind artist who brought fantastical contraptions to life through his intricate illustrations. From his famous "Heath Robinson automated Dining Room without servants" to the peculiar "Pea Apparatus, " each creation is a testament to human ingenuity and creativity. Innovation knows no bounds, as showcased in Robinson's masterpiece, "Ultra-Marine. " This mind-boggling invention transports us underwater, revealing an enchanting realm where imagination reigns supreme. It reminds us that they are not limited by reality but can transcend it entirely. Travel back in time with the revolutionary Gutenberg printing press of the 1450s. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized communication forever, paving the way for knowledge dissemination on an unprecedented scale. The power of words became accessible to all—a true turning point in history. As we marvel at these extraordinary creations, let us not forget those that were met with skepticism or rejection. Like "Rejected by the inventions board, " which serves as a reminder that even geniuses face setbacks along their journey towards progress. Sometimes it takes persistence and unwavering belief for brilliance to be recognized. The first Ferris wheel at Chicago World's Fair in 1893 stands tall as a symbol of innovation and entertainment. Its towering structure offered breathtaking views while captivating hearts worldwide—an iconic invention that continues to inspire awe today. Transportation leaps forward with Crewe Station's grand opening on July 4th, 1837—the birthplace of railway travel excellence. This engineering feat connected people like never before, shrinking distances and fostering new opportunities across nations—a testament to mankind's ability to conquer vast landscapes through sheer determination. From ancient times comes the arquebusse—its use marking a pivotal moment in warfare technology during the 16th century.