1. The 5th of May
Thursday
America’s
S C I E N C E

2. Aim:
Students will
know about
America’s science

3. Inquiry and innovation in science

4. The US came into being during the Age of
Enlightenment (circa 1680 to 1800), a period in which
writers and thinkers rejected the superstitions of the
past. Enlightenment philosophers envisioned a
“republic of science” where idea is would be
exchanged freely and useful knowledge would improve
the lot of all citizens.
The US has encouraged science and invention. It has
done this by promoting a free flow of idieas,
encouraging the growth of “useful knowledge” and by
welcoming creative people from all over the world.
The US Constititution itself reflects the desire to
encourage scientific creativity.

5. A good climate
for science
It was good place for science
in America

6. Benjamin Franklin Two of America’s founding
fathers were scientists of some repute.
Benjamin Franklin proved what had been
suspected but never before shown: that
lightning is a form of electricity /1752/. He
also invented such conveniences as bifocal
eyeglasses /1760/ and a stove /1742/ that
bears his name.
The first bifocal eyeglasses

7. Benjamin Rush, by introducing new
medical treatments, he made the Pennsylvania After the war David
Hospital in Philadelphia an example of medical Rittenhouse designed road and canal
Enlightenment and after his military service
Rush established the first free clinic in the US. system for the state of Pennsylvania.

8. Alexander
Graham Bell who arrived
from Scotland by way of
Canada in 1872,
developed and patented
the telephone invention.
Charles Willson Peale is best
remembered as an artist but he also
was a natural historian, inventor,
educator and politician. He created
the first major museum in the US, the
Peale Museum in Philadelphia.

9. American know-how
 During the 19th century Britain, France and Germany
were at the forefront of new ideas in science and
mathematics. But the United States lagged behind in
the formulation of theory, it excelled in using theory to
solve problems: applied science. Because Americans
lived so far from the Western science and
manufacturing, they often had to figure out their own
ways of doing things.
 When Americans combined theoritical knowledge
with “Yankee ingenuity” the result was a flow of
important inventions. The great American inventors The first steam boat
include Robert Fulton (the steam boat), Samuel F.B
Morse (the telegrapgh), Eli Whitney (the cotton gin),
Cyrus McCormick (the reaper) and Thomas Alva
Edison. The most fertile of them all, with more than a
thousand inventions credited to his name.
The first cotton gin
The first reaper

10. Americans have won approximately half of the Noble Prizes
awarded in the sciences.
 The Wright brothers built and flew
several gliders. Then on December
17, 1903 they successfully flew the
first heavier-than-air mechanically
propelled airplane
The British engineer Joseph
Swan built an incandescent
electric lamp in 1860, almost
20 years before Edison. But
Edison’s was better. Edison’s
light bulbs lasted much
longer than Swan’s and they First successful flight made
could be turned on and off by Orville and Wilbur
individually. Within 30 years, Wright
Edison’s inventions had
introduced electric lighting
into millions of homes.

11.  How has the United states
encouraged science and
invention? answer

12.  Can you describe America’s good
climate for science? answer
Please fill the chart after
reading scientists’ inventions. answer
Who When What did

13. Can you describe American
know-how? answer
Why did the United States lag
behind the science? answer

14. It was around
1680 to 1900

15. It has done this by supporting
many creative idieas, encouraging
the growth of “useful knowledge”
and by welcoming creative people
from all over the world.
The US Constititution itself
includes the policy to encourage
scientific creativity.

16. It was good place for science.
American science was closely
linked with the needs of the people
and it was free from European
preconceptions.

17. Who When What did
Alexander Graham Bell: 1876 The "Box" telephone
in 1879, Pioneering long distance
oral communication.
Thomas Edison 1879 Electrical Light
Thanks to his desire to
"let there be light", we can
work at night!
Samuel Morse and 1844 Pioneering speedy
Alfred Vail communication through
the written word.
The Morse Telegraph Key
Charles Willson Peale The first major museum
click

18. When Americans combined theoretical
knowledge with “Yankee ingenuity” the result was
many inventions

19. Because Americans lived
so far from the Western
science and
manufacturing.

20. Conclusion
 America could encourage the inventions of science
 America was a good place to develop science
 America could combine theoretical knowledge with
native Americans ingenuity

21. Thank you for the
attention!