Steam power enhances military power. Robert Fulton's Demolos sails. At 140 ft. in length, it carries a thirty 32-pound cannon

Farmers had furrowed the rocky soil of New England with wooden-tipped ploughs. John Jethro Woods of Poplar Ridge, NY creates a plough with a replaceable cast-iron tip, making farming in America an easier row to hoe.

Overland travel in the 1800's is slow and arduous. Engineers propose a plan to supplement natural water systems by digging a 363 mile canal to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie. The Seneca Chief will make the inaugural run through the Erie Canal in 1825.

Thomas Blanchard of Middlebury, CT builds a woodworking lathe that does the work of 13 men. His invention helps to lower wood prices.

Joseph Henry, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science at the Albany Academy builds a motor employing the electromagnet, invented by William Sturgeon in London just five years earlier. Henry's motor has no practical use.

The McCormick Reaper, which cut grain much faster than a man with a scythe, failed to catch on. McCormick sold the first unit around 1840; by 1844 only 50 had sold. After taking his operation to Chicago, McCormick prospered. By 1871 his company produced and sold 10,000 reapers per year.

Walter Hunt invents the first lock-stitch sewing machine, but loses interest and does not patent his invention. Later, Elias Howe secures patent on an original lock-stitch machine, but fails to manufacture and sell it. Still later, Isaac Singer infringes on Howe's patent to make his own machine, which makes Singer rich. Hunt also invents the safety pin, which he sells outright for $400.

John A. and Hiram Abial Pitts invent a machine that automatically threshes and separates grain from chaff, freeing farmers from a slow and laborious process.

To finance the development of his "six shooter" Samuel Colt traveled the lecture circuit, giving demonstrations of laughing gas. Colt's new weapon failed to catch on and he went bankrupt in 1842 at age 28. He reorganized and sold his first major order to the War Department during the Mexican War in 1846, and went on to become fabulously rich.

Thomas Davenport of Brandon, VT is one of the first to find practical application for the electric motor. He uses a motor he built to power shop machinery, and also builds the first electric model railroad car.