19th century carries great glories for many vibrant inventions in engineering field. Many of these inventions have significant impact on human life till today. Have a look below to check out 10 such 19th century inventions.

Note: It is worth mentioning here that the inventions never come overnight neither it is always the brain child of a single person. So the invention year given over here is mostly the year in which the product had been patented or recognized by a large audience. The inventors mentioned here may not be the only person behind the invention but many others must have shown the path. The inventor name mentioned over here is the author of the patent in most of the cases.


1. Stethoscope – René Laënnec (1816)

Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laënnec examines a patient in front of his students at Necker Hospital in this painting by Theobald Chartran [Source]
Rene Laënnec examines a patient in front of his students at Necker Hospital in this painting by Theobald Chartran [Source]

2. Electric Dynamo – Michael Faraday (1831)

The Faraday disk was the first electric generator [Source]
The Faraday disk was the first electric generator [Source]

3. ComputerCharles Babbage (1833)

A portion of Babbage's Difference engine [Source]
A portion of Babbage’s Difference engine [Source]



4. Electrical TelegraphSamuel Morse (1838)

Morse_telegraph
Original Samuel Morse Telegraph [Source]

5. Sewing MachineElias Howe (1945)

Elias Howe's Lockstitch Machine [Source]
Elias Howe’s Lockstitch Machine [Source]

6. TypewriterChristopher Latham Sholes (1868)

Prototype of the Sholes and Glidden typewriter [Source]
Prototype of the Sholes and Glidden typewriter [Source]

7. TelephoneGraham Bell (1876)

Bell at the opening of the long-distance line from New York to Chicago in 1892 [Source]
Bell at the opening of the long-distance line from New York to Chicago [Source]

8. Electric Light BulbThomas Edison (1879)

Thomas Edison's first successful light bulb model, used in public demonstration [Source]
Thomas Edison’s first successful light bulb model, used in public demonstration [Source]



9. Fountain PenLewis Waterman (1884)

Waterman's fountain pen [Source]
Waterman’s Fountain Pen [Source]

10. RADIOMarconi (1894)

Marconi operating apparatus similar to that used by him to transmit the first wireless signal across the Atlantic Ocean, 1901 [Source]
Marconi operating apparatus similar to that used by him to transmit the first wireless signal across the Atlantic Ocean, 1901 [Source]

These are the 10 most significant engineering inventions of 19th century which have been influencing human life till today. There are many other great inventions of the century which can not be ignored. Salute to all the inventors of 19th century.

10 Most Significant Engineering Inventions of 19th Century
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