James Edward Hanger was hit by shrapnel from a cannonball at the beginning of the American Civil War- he designed the world’s first articulated prosthetic that could bend like a real leg.
Museum of Artifacts That Made America
From the first video games to the cotton gin; how do the inventions of the past impact the world around us today?
The Swivel Chair: How Thomas Jefferson Invented the Office Chair
As one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson’s words helped found a nation. But did you know that he also invented the modern day swivel chair?
Turtle Submersible: Submarine of the Revolutionary War
In 1775, David Bushnell pushed the limits of engineering to design a military submarine dubbed the Turtle Submersible, which he created to help the US fight back against the British Royal Navy.
Hot Air Balloons: The Union’s Secret Civil War Weapon
How hot air balloons were used in the Civil War for both surveillance and reconnaissance.
The First American Cookbook
In 1796, Amelia Simmons released ‘American Cookery’, the first cookbook to be published by an American, in the United States.
John Brown’s Pike: An Abolitionist’s Failed Insurrection
Abolitionist John Brown – the first US citizen to be executed for treason.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt
This is the story of a community art project that changed the world’s perception of HIV and AIDs.
The Raised Fist Afro Comb
In 1972, Anthony Romani used the raised fist symbol to create a product that came to symbolise African-American history, culture and pride.
History of the Polygraph Machine
In 1921, John Augustus Larson, a medical student and police officer invented a machine to help determine if someone was lying.
Moscow-Washington Hotline
In 1962, when a quick and accurate means of communication was needed between two of the world’s greatest superpowers, the Moscow-Washington hotline was created.