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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which US city did Rillieux live?

2. Which activity began to take up Banneker's free time?

3. How old was Banneker in 1772?

4. What event was attended by Banneker?

5. From whom was Banneker able to borrow books on the subject?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did Latimer's case change the face of the law in regards to escaped slaves?

2. What items did Banneker use to assist in creating the project? How long did it take to build? What was unusual about the piece?

3. What activity did Banneker undertake when he was 41 years old? Why was the project important?

4. What barrier did Banneker face when he decided to create a clock from scratch?

5. Discuss Wood's first patent. What patent soon followed? How were Woods' patents connected?

6. Describe George Latimer's contribution to the abolitionist movement, how it came about, and which famous people helped Latimer along the way.

7. The text claims that Banneker was born of unusual stock. What does that mean?

8. What type of company did Woods start? Was the company lucrative? What was Woods' preferred occupation?

9. Rillieux became interested in what process? What process was in place when Rillieux began? How did Rillieux's invention help the industry?

10. hen did McCoy obtain his first patent? What was the invention? What other inventions can be attributed to McCoy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Louis Tompkins Wright was most well known for his work in developing a vaccination for smallpox during his tenure in the US Army's Medical Corps. Wright also introduced what kind of medicine? What other field did Wright work in that made significant advancements? How did Wright become involved in research? Did Wright continue to work as a surgeon? Create a time line of Wright's life, education, and professional life.

Essay Topic 2

Throughout history inventors have had to face the possibility that other inventors may steal or take credit for their works. How was this done? Give at least five examples of inventions that were claimed by someone else (e.g. Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin). Did this happen to any of the inventors in the book? Did the claims have anything to do with racism? Does one have to prove ownership when applying for a patent? What is involved in applying for a patent?

Essay Topic 3

Granville T. Woods had a great deal of experience in the field of electricity before returning to his status as a full time inventor. Create a time line of Woods' inventions. Write at least two paragraphs on each invention. What other inventors may have been involved? What was Woods' most important invention? How many patents did Woods hold?

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