I learned about four inventions this week. The inventions were the pencil, the stethoscope, the tunneling shield, and paved roads. First, I learned about the pencil. Pencils are graphite rods encased in wood and make durable markings. They are cheap to make and use and also offer benefits to artists. The American pencil was invented by Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau worked at his father’s factory and wrote a famous book saying he hated inventions.He wrote the book Walden; Life in the woods.

Second, I learned about the stethoscope. Rehe Laennec was born in 1781 and he invented the stethoscope. It’s a device that lets us listen to sounds inside our body and the chest piece captures sound waves. The sound waves travel through air tubes into our eardrums and electronics enhance the stethoscope’s features. The stethoscope was a turning point in medicine and created many medical terms still in use today. 

Third, I learned about the tunneling shield. Marc Isambard Brunel was born in France in 1769 and invented the tunneling shield. The tunneling shield protects men digging tunnels and it also contains compartments for workers. Tunneling was an important achievement when completed and tunneling designs were improved. Because of these achievements, Isambard was regarded as a great engineer.  

Finally, I learned about paved roads. Before paved roads the Romans built the best, meanwhile it had drainage problems. Paved roads were invented by John McAdam who was born in Scotland in 1756. McAdam experimented with new roads to try and solve the problem. His paved roads solved the drainage problem and were more durable. Paved roads are made up of ground covered with flat rocks or concrete that have been paved.