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Soon after the Constitution was ratified in 1788, the first Congress passed the first patent law in 1790 to encourage Americans to invent useful devices,<ref>http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa073100a.htm</ref> and ever since Americans have been doing exactly that.  The inventor makes money for himself because no one else may copy his invention for 20 years without paying him for it, and the public benefits from how the inventions save time and money in performing useful tasks.

Soon after the Constitution was ratified in 1788, the first Congress passed the first patent law in 1790 to encourage Americans to invent useful devices,<ref>http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa073100a.htm</ref> and ever since Americans have been doing exactly that.  The inventor makes money for himself because no one else may copy his invention for 20 years without paying him for it, and the public benefits from how the inventions save time and money in performing useful tasks.

Within a few years of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and enacting of the first patent law, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, which was a machine that replaced the hard labor of 50 men to separate cotton from cotton seeds.  He received a patent (exclusive ownership) for his invention in 1794.  Whitney became wealthier due to his creation as people paid him for the right to make and use his invention; southern plantations became wealthier from his invention because it reduced their costs; and the entire public became wealthier because the price of clothes containing cotton decreased due to the lower costs.  This is how an invention creates wealth for the world.

Within a few years of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and enacting of the first patent law, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, which was a machine that replaced the hard labor of 50 men to separate cotton from cotton seeds.  He received a patent (which is sole ownership and a right to prohibit copying) for his invention beginning in 1794.  Whitney became wealthier due to his creation as people paid him for the right to make and use his invention; southern plantations became wealthier from his invention because it reduced their costs; and the entire public became wealthier because the price of clothes containing cotton decreased due to the lower costs.  This is how an invention creates wealth for the world.

Several of the most important inventions concerned communications, which created wealth by reducing the costs of exchanging information, and increasing the amount of information available.  In 1831, an American scientists named Joseph Henry invented the first electric telegraph, which enabled communication across distances by using codes to represent letters.   

Several of the most important inventions concerned communications, which created wealth by reducing the costs of exchanging information, and increasing the amount of information available.  In 1831, an American scientist named Joseph Henry invented the first electric telegraph, which enabled communication across distances by using codes to represent letters.   

Soon thereafter, the American Samuel Morse created Morse code to standardize the codes used (1835), and then in 1843 he invented the first long distance electric telegraph line.  This enabled the sending and receiving of messages almost instantaneously over long distances, without having to wait for someone to travel the distance.  Morse is often credited with inventing telegraphy because he made it practical.  In 1844 he sent first long-distance telegraphic message: "What hath God wrought?"<ref>http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/234.php</ref>  Obviously this greatly increased the ability of people to communicate with each other, and for businesses to communicate their needs and purchases.  This was not like the internet yet, but it was a tremendous improvement over sending letters by U.S. Mail, which could take weeks if the distance was long.  The Pony Express was not even available then; it was first established in 1861 to try to speed up mail delivery.

Soon thereafter, the American Samuel Morse created Morse code to standardize the codes used (1835), and then in 1843 he invented the first long distance electric telegraph line.  This enabled the sending and receiving of messages almost instantaneously over long distances, without having to wait for someone to travel the distance.  Morse is often credited with inventing telegraphy because he made it practical.  In 1844 he sent first long-distance telegraphic message: "What hath God wrought?"<ref>http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/234.php</ref>  Obviously this greatly increased the ability of people to communicate with each other, and for businesses to communicate their needs and purchases.  This was not like the internet yet, but it was a tremendous improvement over sending letters by U.S. Mail, which could take weeks if the distance was long.  The Pony Express was not even available then; it was first established in 1861 to try to speed up mail delivery.

Legend says that the first sentence spoken over the telephone was by Bell to his assistant Watson:  "Watson, come here; I want you."

Legend says that the first sentence spoken over the telephone was by Bell to his assistant Watson:  "Watson, come here; I want you."

[[Image:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

[[Image:Edison and phonograph.jpg|right]]

But there was far greater inventor than even Alexander Graham Bell, and he was homeschooled virtually his entire life:  Thomas Edison.  At the age of 7 years, Edison was sent to the local public school. The public school teacher was irritated by Edison's curiosity and questions, and aggravated by his failure to follow directions like the rest of the class.  She concluded that Edison was an idiot who was incapable of learning,<ref>Specifically, the teacher concluded that Edison's brain had been "scrambled" or "addled".</ref> and after merely three months the teacher told young Edison's mother that.

But just as John the Baptist was immediately followed by someone far greater, Jesus, Alexander Graham Bell was immediately followed by someone far greater, Thomas Edison (pictured to the right with one of his inventions, the phonograph).  At the age of 7, Mrs. Edison sent her boy the local public school. The public school teacher was irritated by Edison's curiosity and questions, and aggravated by his failure to follow directions like the rest of the class.  She concluded that Edison was an idiot who was incapable of learning,<ref>Specifically, the teacher concluded that Edison's brain had been "scrambled" or "addled".</ref> and after merely three months the teacher told young Edison's mother that her son was an idiot.

Mrs. Edison was furious at the teacher and the public school.  She immediately pulled young Thomas out of school and never sent him back.  She then homeschooled him by reading from the Bible, and his father encouraged young Thomas to read the classics.  Young Thomas became an voracious reader and, by the age of 12, became interested in science, chemistry and the works of Isaac Newton.  Young Thomas also became an entrepreneur as a teenager, first publishing a newspaper and then memorizing Morse Code so that he could get a job transmitting messages over the telegraph by age 15.  He was a very hard worker who would put in 12-hour days, 6 days a week, and then invent in his spare time.  His famous quotes include:<ref>http://quotations.about.com/od/stillmorefamouspeople/a/ThomasEdison2.htm</ref>

Mrs. Edison was furious at the teacher and the public school.  She immediately pulled young Thomas out of school and never sent him back.  She then homeschooled him by reading from the Bible, and his father encouraged young Thomas to read the classics.  Young Thomas became a voracious reader and, by the age of 12, became interested in science, chemistry and the works of Isaac Newton.  Young Thomas also became an entrepreneur as a teenager, first publishing a newspaper and then memorizing Morse Code so that he could get a job transmitting messages over the telegraph by age 15.  He had a tremendous "work ethic," putting in 12-hour work days, 6 days a week, and then inventing in his spare time.  His famous quotes include:<ref>http://quotations.about.com/od/stillmorefamouspeople/a/ThomasEdison2.htm</ref>

*Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

*Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.

:"Thomas Edison was more responsible than any one else for creating the modern world ....  No one did more to shape the physical/cultural makeup of present day civilization....  Accordingly, he was the most influential figure of the millennium. ..."

:"Thomas Edison was more responsible than any one else for creating the modern world ....  No one did more to shape the physical/cultural makeup of present day civilization....  Accordingly, he was the most influential figure of the millennium. ..."

Edison's inventions (from 1875 to about 1900) include a list of most modern technology:

Edison's inventions (from 1875 to about 1900) include most of modern technology:

* an ''automated'' telegraph system

* an ''automated'' telegraph system

* a mouthpiece transmitted to make the telephone practical

* a mouthpiece transmitter to make the telephone practical

* an office copying machine (mimeograph)

* an office copying machine (mimeograph)

* stock ticker for Wall Street

* a stock ticker for Wall Street

* phonograph (record player) (1877) (Edison is shown with his phonograph in the picture above)

* the phonograph (record player) (1877) (Edison is shown with his phonograph in the picture on the prior page)

* a practical light bulb (1879)<ref>In 1879, Edison invented the light bulb in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where there is a monument to his honor and a small museum. By 1882, Edison was able to light up New York City, and by 1898 there were 3,000 electrical generators nationwide.</ref>

* a practical light bulb (1879)<ref>In 1879, Edison invented the light bulb in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where there is a monument to his honor and a small museum. By 1882, Edison was able to light up New York City, and by 1898 there were 3,000 electrical generators nationwide.</ref>

* the electric power station (1882)

* the electric power station (1882)

Self-employed, Edison created one marvelous invention after another, acquiring more than 1300 U.S. and foreign patents throughout his life.  The wealth generated by Edison's work is unfathomable.

Self-employed, Edison created one marvelous invention after another, acquiring more than 1300 U.S. and foreign patents throughout his life.  The wealth generated by Edison's work is unfathomable.

A biographer credited Edison's "highly individualistic style of acquiring knowledge that eventually led him to question scores of the prevailing theories on the workings of electricity."<ref name="Edison"/>  Edison's success was not caused by an special advantages:  his family was poor and Edison himself was nearly totally deaf.  Imagine that:  the inventor of the record player was deaf!  We should remember that the next time we resort to excuses for not accomplishing what we could have.

A biographer credited Edison's "highly individualistic style of acquiring knowledge that eventually led him to question scores of the prevailing theories on the workings of electricity."<ref name="Edison"/>  Edison's success was not caused by any special advantages:  his family was poor and Edison himself was nearly totally deaf.  Imagine that:  the inventor of the record player was deaf!  In the picture of him on the prior page, he cannot hear what his invention is playing!  We should remember that the next time we resort to excuses for not accomplishing what we could have.

One of Edison's sons, Charles, became a conservative governor of New Jersey and was later a co-founder of the Conservative Party of New York, which remains active today.

One of Edison's sons, Charles, became a conservative governor of New Jersey and was later a co-founder of the Conservative Party of New York, which remains active today.

There were other marvelous inventions or engineering feats in the second half of the 19th century.  The Brooklyn Bridge, which still stands today on the east side of lower Manhattan (connecting it with Brooklyn), is a cable suspension bridge that was completed in 1883.  It was remarkable at its time, and heralded in many new suspension bridges to span across waterways.  Soon the Brooklyn Bridge enabled the transportation of 33 million persons a year, and that was before the arrival of automobiles!

There were other marvelous inventions and engineering feats in the second half of the 19th century.  The Brooklyn Bridge, which still stands today on the east side of lower Manhattan (connecting it with Brooklyn), is a cable suspension bridge that was completed in 1883.  It was remarkable at its time, and heralded in many new suspension bridges to span across many American waterways.  Soon the Brooklyn Bridge enabled the transportation of 33 million persons a year, and that was before the arrival of automobiles!

Not every invention was American, but often the Americans ("Yankees") are best at making the creation practical and most productive.  Henry Bessemer of England invented a means for converting molten pig iron into valuable steel, which was called the "Bessemer process."  The process removes impurities from the molten iron by oxidizing it with air that is blown through it.  In the 1870s Americans built steel mills, particularly in Pennsylvania, to take advantage of this process and produce large quantities of steel.  Those steel mills brought wealth to Pennsylvania for a century, until cheaper labor in Asia and a lack of protective tariffs drove those mills out of business.

Not every invention was American, but often the Americans ("Yankees") are best at making a creation practical and most productive.  Henry Bessemer of England invented a means for converting molten pig iron into valuable steel, which was called the "Bessemer process."  The process removes impurities from the molten iron by oxidizing it with air that is blown through it.  In the 1870s Americans built steel mills, particularly in Pennsylvania, to take advantage of this process and produce large quantities of steel.  Those steel mills brought wealth to Pennsylvania for a century, until cheaper labor in Asia and a lack of protective tariffs drove the American mills out of business and leaving Pennsylvania depressed today.

== The Election of 1880 ==

== The Election of 1880 ==

The marvelous inventions of the 1870s led up to a very interesting presidential election in 1880.  The race of 1876 had been a virtual tie, and the general election in 1880 was nearly as close, with only 10,000 separating the winner (the Republican) from the loser (the Democrat).

The marvelous inventions of the 1870s led up to a very interesting presidential election in 1880.  The race of 1876 had been a virtual tie, and the general election in 1880 was nearly as close, with only 10,000 separating the winner (the Republican) from the loser (the Democrat).

But who would be the Republican Party nominee? There was an historic stalemate and deadlock during the National Convention when the delegates attempted to pick their nominee.  Former President Ulysses S. Grant wanted to become president again, despite having served two terms.  His main rival was the power Republican Senator from Maine, James Blaine.  A third candidate, John Sherman of Ohio, also ran.  None was able to obtain a majority of the delegates despite dozens of ballots (actual votes) by the delegates.  James Garfield went to the convention without any desire to be considered for president, and sought to support one of the leading candidates.

The Republican Party had a difficult time choosing its nominee for president. There was an historic stalemate and deadlock during the National Convention when the delegates attempted to make a selection.  Former President Ulysses S. Grant wanted to become president again, despite having served two terms.  His main rival was the power Republican Senator from Maine, James Blaine.  A third candidate, John Sherman of Ohio, also ran.  None was able to obtain a majority of the delegates despite dozens of ballots (actual votes) by the delegates.  James Garfield went to the convention without any desire to be considered for president, and sought to support one of the leading candidates.

The big issue in 1880 was the "spoils system," which was an important part of these political machines and the view of many politicians, from President Andrew Jackson to President Ulysses S. Grant, that the victor in the election should be able to "clean house" and install his supporters in the new Administration.  In 1880, the Republican Party Senator from New York, Roscoe Conkling, supported the "spoils system" and opposed Garfield and Blaine over it.  Under the "spoils system" or "patronage system, the winner of an election gets to hand out government jobs to his supporters.  "To the victors go the spoils," is the famous saying.  The "Stalwarts" in the Republican Party favored this system, which insured that holdovers who disagreed with the winner would be fired and everyone in the new administration would agree with the new leader.  Former Radical Republicans were "Stalwarts".  Against the Stalwarts were moderates like Blaine and Garfield who wanted a civil service system where a government employee would keep his job even after a new leader is elected.  They sought so-called "reform" of the spoils system to stop the corruption that a spoils system might lead to.

The big issue in 1880 was the "spoils system," which was an important part of these political machines and the view of many politicians, from President Andrew Jackson to President Ulysses S. Grant, that the victor in the election should be able to "clean house" and install his supporters in the new Administration.  In 1880, the Republican Party Senator from New York, Roscoe Conkling, supported the "spoils system" and opposed Garfield and Blaine over it.  Under the "spoils system" or "patronage system, the winner of an election gets to hand out government jobs to his supporters.  "To the victors go the spoils," is the famous saying.  The "Stalwarts" in the Republican Party favored this system, which insured that holdovers who disagreed with the winner would be fired and everyone in the new administration would agree with the new leader.  Former Radical Republicans were "Stalwarts".  Against the Stalwarts were moderates like Blaine and Garfield who wanted a civil service system where a government employee would keep his job even after a new leader is elected.  They sought so-called "reform" of the spoils system to stop the corruption that a spoils system might lead to.