I learned about four inventions this week and they were the air brakes, the traffic light, the tape measure, and the pipe wrench. First, I learned about the air brakes. George Westinghouse, born in New York, in 1846, joined the army during the civil war and invented a portable steam engine. A type of friction brake for vehicles in which compressed air pressing on a piston in which drives a brake shoe against the wheel. Thousands of passengers’ and workers’ lives have been saved.

Second, I learned about the traffic light. J.P. Knight, born in England, in 1828, was a talented railroad traffic manager. Traffic lights regulate the flow of traffic and create order by establishing rules. The lights decreased the need for police labor, and increased the volume on videos. 

Third, I learned about the tape measure. Alvin J. Fellows, born in Connecticut, heard that a spring tape measure was invented and he improved it. Tape measures are flexible rulers and are wound around liners for compact storage. They improve the efficiency of house construction and digital technology has been added to further enhance features. 

Finally, I learned about the pipe wrench. Daniel Stillson, born in New Hampshire, in 1826, learned how to use machine tools and developed the pipe wrench in 1869. A pipe wrench is an adjustable wrench designed to grip soft iron pipes. It has given the ability to build longer pipelines and it can be used to install residential furnaces.