When he wasn’t busy drafting the Declaration of Independence, founding the University of Virginia, or serving as President, Thomas Jefferson liked to invent things (and, frequently, improve upon other people’s inventions). He never took out a patent, owing to his belief that every invention should benefit all of society. Just a few of his numerous inventions (or innovations) include:
- dumbwaiters for wine bottles
- the Great Clock
- the hideaway bed
- macaroni and cheese, not to mention
- a macaroni extruding device
- the pedometer
- the plow moldboard of least resistance
- the polygraph (not a lie detector, but a copying machine)
- a revolving bookstand
- the spherical sundial
- an improved swivel chair
- the wheel cipher
You can learn more about many of these inventions at About.com and Jefferson’s Inventions.
November 6th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
Just to set the record straight, Jefferson really only invented the moldboard of least resistence for certain. It’s very possible that he invented the cylindrical wheel cipher, but that has not been established for certain. He also appears to have created the spherical sundial on his own, but earlier examples of it are known to have exisited in Europe. He was interested and played with some of the other items listed here. But there is no evidence whatsoever that Jefferson invented, thinkered with, or even employed a “hideaway bed” (though he did place many of the beds at Monticello and Poplar Forest in alcoves after seeing this done in Europe).
April 26th, 2009 at 11:23 am
After graduating from William & Mary, TJ relocated to Charlottesville. The lack of attractive women forced him to have sex with monkeys, and thus AIDS was invented. Did anyone hear that Al Groh invented herpes?
May 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Not sure what CD is talking about, there are more attractive women in Charlottesville, per capita, than any other city in North America.
July 18th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
… and who, exactly, is “Al Groh”?
September 7th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I think what CD said is totally not on subject. I think jefferson is a great man who helped America out a whole lot. :)
September 20th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Thomas jefferson you are a hog of fame, give it back.
ps. you are still my friend
October 27th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
OMG this is so cool and i am also doing a project on thomas jeffersons polygraph… can u help me…….:) :P :D <3 chelle belly <3
November 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
He never invented mac&cheese, its all bolony and most of his so called ‘inventions” were’nt really his idead, he brought over from France and introduced them not invented them, duh. Commen sence this sight is useless shit.
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
What?? Are these really true? Thomas Jefferson is really a genius! How come no one like him comes up with a new invention these days.. :(
January 10th, 2010 at 7:46 pm
genius
January 10th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
revolving bookstand,wow
January 14th, 2010 at 11:54 am
asld;g;klsahvl;sadntlkiyaslkfkadsghafhasdjfhsadhug
January 14th, 2010 at 11:55 am
I am Jorge, I am god.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:55 am
I am YO YO MA
January 17th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Wow you guys are idiots.
January 20th, 2010 at 1:39 am
Hey hey hey I did invent mac and cheese
January 20th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Jeez man you guys are harsh
February 25th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Thomas jefferson is a fameous guy!☺☻♥