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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 (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.

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.  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.  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.

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.   

 

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.

In 1866, after four attempts, the transatlantic cable established permanent communication with Europe based on laying a cable on the ocean floor.  This facilitated trade between the continents, and helped families communicate with grandparents back in Europe.

In 1866, after four attempts, the transatlantic cable established permanent communication with Europe based on laying a cable on the ocean floor.  This facilitated trade between the continents, and helped families communicate with grandparents back in Europe.