I learned about four inventions this week and they were the light bulb, the cash register, the thermostat, and the steam turbine. First, I learned about the light bulb. Thomas Edison, born in 1847, in Ohio, tried 3,000 different versions of the light bulb and tested 6,000 kinds of plant matter for filaments. The light bulb is a device used to convert electricity into light. It lit up New York in 1882 and there is a power industry thanks to Edison’s bulb.

Second, I learned about the cash register. James Ritty, born in 1836, in Ohio, opened a saloon which his employees were stealing from him. The cash register is a machine used in places of business for calculating money. It made it difficult for dishonest salespeople to steal.

Third, I learned about the thermostat. Warren Johnson, born in 1847, in Vermont, became a science professor at 34 years old and invented the thermostat in 1883. A thermostat is a device used to adjust heat and also is used with air conditioning systems. It led to the development of hot water heaters.

Finally, I learned about the steam turbine. Charles Parsons, born in 1854, in England, assisted in his father’s astronomical work and learned about shipbuilding and weapons manufacture. Steam turbines convert heat into rotation. Steam turbines are cheap power sources converted into electricity and now power everything we do.