America: Facts vs. Fiction Season 1 Episode 5 The Inventors

America: Facts vs. Fiction, season 1 episode 5, is titled "The Inventors." This episode explores the legends and misconceptions surrounding some of America's most famous inventors.

The episode starts with the story of Benjamin Franklin and his supposed discovery of electricity with his kite experiment. Viewers learn that while Franklin did conduct experiments with lightning, the story of him flying a kite in a storm is likely a myth. In fact, there is no documentation of Franklin ever performing the experiment himself. Instead, it was likely conducted by a student of his.

Next, the show looks at the story of Thomas Edison and his invention of the lightbulb. While Edison is often credited as the sole inventor of the lightbulb, the reality is that he built upon the work of several other inventors. The episode also points out that Edison's famous quote, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration," may not actually be his own words.

The episode then shifts focus to the story of Alexander Graham Bell and his invention of the telephone. While Bell is often credited with inventing the first practical telephone, there were several other inventors working on similar technology around the same time. In fact, there was a famous lawsuit known as the "Telephone Patent War" that involved several inventors who claimed to have invented the telephone first.

Another inventor featured in the episode is Eli Whitney, who is famous for inventing the cotton gin. While the cotton gin did revolutionize the cotton industry, it's often misunderstood as a machine that picks cotton. In reality, the cotton gin is a machine that separates the seeds from the cotton fibers, making cotton production much more efficient.

The episode also looks at the story of the Wright Brothers and their invention of the airplane. While the Wright Brothers are often credited as the inventors of the airplane, there were several other inventors working on similar technology at the time. The episode also explores the controversy surrounding whether or not the Wright Brothers were the first to fly an airplane.

Throughout the episode, historians and experts weigh in on these famous inventors and separate fact from fiction. Viewers learn that while these inventors did make significant contributions to American history, their stories are often more complex than they're portrayed.

Overall, "The Inventors" is an informative and engaging episode of America: Facts vs. Fiction that sheds light on the myths and legends surrounding some of America's most famous inventors.