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Colt

Oct 15, 2025

History 5, Lessons 26-30

This week I learned about four inventions. They are the platform scale, railroad t-rail, the multi-coil magnet, and mechanical reaper. These inventions were more of the innovations that came from the industrial revolution throughout the early 1830s.

The platform scale was designed to weigh heavy loads. It was invented by Thaddeus Fairbanks, in 1830. Thaddeus’ scales are still with us even today, and they are a vital part of our medical force. It was a great invention and without it we would not be able to weigh trucks on the highway and other specialized equipment.

The railroad t-rail is a type of railroad shaped like a “t”, and is one of the main railroad types. It actually was inspired by a particular type of boat. That’s right, you heard me, A BOAT!!! Aside from that, It transformed our travel system to what you see today. It was invented by Robert Stevens, in 1830. The t-rail is strong, durable, stable, and easy to install.

The multi-coil-magnet is a type of magnet that increases in energy every time you add a coil. It was invented by Joseph Henry, in 1831. It was designed to withstand thousands of volts because it was going to be used in important things like generators. It was invented after William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet. 

The mechanical reaper is a type of farm tool that reaps wheat faster than any human can. It was invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1834. It was invented because it apparently is very hard to thrash, and process wheat every day.

These inventions helped to create the modern world we have today. It is so interesting to me, that all of these inventors, are deceased, but their inventions live on. To me, that preserves their successes, and benefits us all.