Consumer electronics
We use many gadgets every day. Some help us talk to friends. Some help us play games. They can be small or big. These tools help us have fun. Do you have a favorite gadget?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTechnology articles — Page 5
Explore inventions, engineering, computing and the tools people build to solve problems. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
4,107 public articles · Page 5 of 86
Container
A container holds things inside. It can be a box or a bag. It keeps your things safe. You can use them to carry food. They help us move things. Do you have a favorite box?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleControlled-access highway
These are very fast roads. Cars drive on them quickly. They do not have stop lights. There are no houses next to them. This helps cars move fast and stay safe. Do you like fast cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCooling tower
A cooling tower helps things stay cool. It takes heat away from big machines. It uses water to do this. The water gets warm, so the tower cools it. This helps our buildings stay nice. Can you see them in your town?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCoral
Coral is a way to talk to computers. It helps machines do work fast. It was made a long time ago. It helps computers work in many ways. Do you like computers? We use them every day!
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius was a very busy man. He owned many big boats. He also owned fast trains. He helped people travel far away. He was very rich. Do you like to ride trains?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCotton gin
A cotton gin is a tool. It cleans soft cotton. It pulls seeds out of the cotton. This helps make more cloth. It makes work much faster. Do you like soft cotton?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCrane (machine)
A crane is a big machine. It can lift heavy things. It moves things up and down. It also moves things side to side. It helps us build tall buildings. Can you see a crane?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCrossbow
A crossbow is a tool that shoots. It has a big bow. The bow sits on a wooden handle. It shoots small arrows. You can take your time to aim. It is very cool! Do you want to see one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCultivator
A cultivator helps plants grow. It stirs the dirt in a field. It can pull up bad weeds. This helps the good plants stay safe. It makes the soil soft and smooth. Do you like to garden?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCybernetics
Things can learn from what they do. A ship uses this to stay on track. It sees where it goes. Then it changes its path. This helps it move well. It is like a loop. Can you think of something that does this?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleCyrus McCormick
Cyrus made a tool for farms. It was pulled by horses. It helped cut grain fast. This helped feed many people. It was a big help to us. Do you like farms?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDagger
A dagger is a sharp knife. It has a very pointy end. People use it for stabbing. Some are made of gold. They were used a long time ago. It is a very old tool. Do you like old things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleData and information visualization
Pictures can show us facts. We use charts and maps. These help us see patterns. They make hard facts easy. They help us learn fast. Can you find a chart?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDatabase
A database is a big list. It keeps many facts in one place. It can hold names or notes. This helps us find things fast. It is like a digital box for info. Do you have a list of things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleData communication
We send info from one place to another. It can go through wires. It can also travel through the air. This helps us talk and play games. It is very cool! Do you like to use computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleData compression
Computers can make files small. This helps them save space. It also helps them send things fast. This is very helpful for you. Do you like fast videos?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleData storage
We can save facts and ideas. We use things to keep them. Some use paper. Some use machines. This helps us remember things. It is like a brain for tools. Do you like to save things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleData structure
Computers use special ways to store things. These ways help find things fast. It is like a tidy toy box. This helps the computer work well. It makes everything easy to find. Can you find your toys fast?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDead reckoning
You can find your way without a map. You start at a known spot. Then you track your speed. You also track your direction. This helps you guess where you are. Can you guess where you will go next?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDefensive wall
Big walls keep towns safe. They are made of stone or wood. Some walls are very, very thick. People use gates to go in. These walls help people feel home. Can you find a wall near you?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDeformation (engineering)
Things can change shape. You can push or pull them. Some things snap back. They go back to their old shape. Other things stay changed. Like soft gum! Can you find something that stays changed?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDennis Ritchie
Dennis Ritchie helped make computers work. He made new ways to talk to them. These ways help us use machines today. His work is in many tools we use. He was a very smart man. Do you like using computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDesalination
We can make fresh water from the sea. It takes the salt out of the water. This helps people have enough to drink. It also helps plants grow. It is a smart way to get water. Do you like to drink water?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDetergent
Detergent helps us clean things. It cleans our clothes and dishes. It can pull grease away from dirt. This makes everything look new. It helps keep our homes tidy. Do you use it to wash?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDie casting
Machines make many metal parts. They push hot metal into a shape. This makes things like car parts. It helps us make many things fast. It is a neat way to work. Do you like metal toys?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDiesel engine
A diesel engine helps things move. It uses air to make power. First, it squeezes the air very tight. This makes the air hot. Then, fuel is added to make fire. This engine helps big ships and trucks. Do you like big…
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDigital data
Computers use special signs. These signs show us things. They can show time or words. This helps us use tools. It is very cool! Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDigital photography
Digital cameras take pictures. They use light to make a photo. You do not need special liquids. This makes it fast. You can see the picture right away. Do you like taking photos?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDishwasher
A dishwasher is a machine. It cleans your plates and cups. It sprays hot water on them. It also uses soap to wash. This helps you clean up fast. It makes life easy. Do you like clean dishes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDock
A dock is a place for boats. It helps ships stay safe. People use them to load things. They also help fix big boats. Docks have been used for a long time. Do you like to see boats?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDoor
A door is a moving wall. It lets you go in. It lets you go out. It keeps you safe and warm. Doors can slide or swing. Do you have a door at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDouglas Engelbart
Douglas was a smart man. He helped make computers better. He made the first computer mouse. It helped us use screens. It is a tool we use today. Do you use a mouse?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrilling
A drill makes a round hole. It spins very fast. It cuts into hard things. This helps us build many things. It is a cool tool. Do you like to build things too?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDriving
Driving means moving a car. You use your hands and feet. You must follow the rules. This helps keep everyone safe. It is very important to watch the road. Do you like cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDynamite
Dynamite is a very strong tool. It helps people move big rocks. A man named Alfred Nobel made it. It is safer than old ways. It helps us build things. Can you imagine a big blast?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleE-commerce
You can buy things on the web. It is called online shopping. You can buy books or music. This helps you save time. It is very easy to do. Do you like to shop online?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEdsger W. Dijkstra
He was a man who loved math. He helped teach computers how to work. He found the best ways to solve problems. This helps us use computers today. He was a very smart teacher. Do you like math too?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is a tall tower. It is in Paris, France. It is made of iron. Many people go to see it. It is very famous. Would you like to climb it?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical cable
A cable is a long wire. It carries power to your home. It can also carry signals. This helps your tools work. The wires are wrapped in plastic. This keeps us safe. Do you see cables in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical connector
Parts use plugs to join together. These plugs help power move. They can stay or come out. This helps your tools work well. It is very handy! Can you find a plug?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical engineering
People use power to make things work. It helps us talk on phones. It makes lights turn on. It helps us use computers. We use it every day. Do you like to use lights?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical grid
Power moves in a big web. It travels from far away. It moves through long wires. This power helps us turn on lights. It makes our homes work. We use it every day. Can you find a light switch?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical network
Many parts work together to move power. These parts can be in a loop. A battery can give the power. This helps your toys work. It is like a big team. Do you see wires at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectrical wiring
Wires carry power to your home. They go into lights and plugs. Wires help us turn things on. This keeps us safe. It is very smart! Do you see wires in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectric generator
A generator makes power. It turns motion into electricity. This helps us turn on lights. It can use wind or water. This is how we get power. Do you use lights at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectricity generation
We use power for our homes. It comes from big power plants. Some use wind or sun. Some use water from dams. This power helps us see at night. It is very helpful. Do you use it every day?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElectric power distribution
Power travels to your home. It moves through long wires. It goes to big boxes. These boxes make the power safe. Now you can turn on lights. Can you find a wire outside?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article