History of Science Study Guide

  1. Bessemer Process

    • Inventor: Henry Bessemer

    • Description: A method for producing steel by blowing air through molten iron to remove impurities.

  2. Commercial Microwave Oven

    • Inventor: Percy Spencer

    • Description: An appliance that uses microwave radiation to heat and cook food quickly.

  3. Computed Tomography Scanner

    • Inventor: Godfrey Hounsfield

    • Description: A medical imaging technique that produces detailed cross-sectional images of the body.

  4. Electromagnet

    • Inventor: William Sturgeon

    • Description: A type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current.

  5. Electron Microscope

    • Inventor: Ernst Ruska

    • Description: An advanced microscope that uses electrons instead of light to magnify objects at much higher resolutions than optical microscopes.

  6. Geissler Tube

    • Inventor: Heinrich Geissler

    • Description: A type of gas discharge tube used in early experiments on electricity and vacuum technology.

  7. Haber Process

    • Inventor: Fritz Haber

    • Description: An industrial process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, crucial for fertilizers.

  8. Hard Disk Drive

    • Inventor: IBM

    • Description: A data storage device that uses magnetic storage to store and retrieve digital information.

  9. Kevlar

    • Inventor: Stephanie Kwolek

    • Description: A strong synthetic fiber used in a variety of applications, including protective clothing and equipment.

  10. Nitroglycerin

    • Inventor: Ascanio Sobrero

    • Description: An explosive liquid that is also used medicinally for heart conditions.

  11. Pendulum Clock

    • Inventor: Christiaan Huygens

    • Description: A timekeeping device that uses a pendulum to regulate its timekeeping.

  12. Photovoltaic Cell

    • Inventor: Edmond Becquerel

    • Description: A device that converts light into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

  13. Polymerase Chain Reaction

    • Inventor: Kary Mullis

    • Description: A method for amplifying DNA, making it easier to study.

  14. Polyvinyl Chloride

    • Inventor: Eugen Baumann

    • Description: A synthetic plastic polymer used for a variety of applications including plumbing and electrical cable insulation.

  15. Printing Press

    • Inventor: Johannes Gutenberg

    • Description: A machine that allowed for the mass production of printed materials, revolutionizing communication and education.

  16. Steam Turbine

    • Inventor: Charles Parsons

    • Description: A mechanical device that converts steam energy into mechanical work, widely used in electricity generation.

  17. Stereolithography

    • Inventor: Charles Hull

    • Description: A 3D printing technology used to create physical objects from digital designs.

  18. Voltaic Pile

    • Inventor: Alessandro Volta

    • Description: The first true battery that produced a steady electrical current.

  19. Vulcanized Rubber

    • Inventor: Charles Goodyear

    • Description: A process that transforms rubber into a stronger and more durable material.

  20. Watt Steam Engine

    • Inventor: James Watt

    • Description: A key development in steam engine technology that greatly improved efficiency and power of steam engines.