These books and websites are generally just listings without details. Tables are useful for finding quickly "who did what", while timelines place the invention within a historical context. Some items listed under Biographies and Descriptions contain timelines. Items are international in scope unless noted otherwise.

• American Experience: Technology Timeline 1752-1990 (PBS) 
  Chronological list of important discoveries and inventions (U.S. only). Includes a brief description of the discovery/invention and who discovered/invented it. Interactive (requires FLASH) and text versions.
   
• History of Invention in the Arts
  A timeline of "firsts" for the arts and entertainment area, from the pre-classical era to the present. From paints, dyes, parchment and paper to animated films, rock and roll music, and emoticons, this list covers a huge range of diverse items. Many entries include links to more information on the item.  Be aware: the author of this page sometimes includes his personal opinions on the listed items.
   
• Innovation Timeline (Great Idea Finder)
  From B.C. to the 2000s (last entry is 2006). 
   
• Inventions and Patents of African-Americans - 19th Century (St. Louis Public Library)
  List is arranged alphabetically by inventions; includes inventor name, patent # and date of issuance. U.S. only.
   
• Inventions and Patents of African-Americans - 20th Century (St Louis Public Library)
  List is arranged alphabetically by inventions; includes inventor name, patent # and date of issuance. U.S. only.
   
• Kids Stuff: Inventions and Discoveries (Christchurch City Libraries, New Zealand)
  Alphabetical lists by inventor and invention plus categorized in groups (communication, household, medicine, transportation).  Note: The links to more information will not work unless you are a member of the Christchurch City Libraries.   
   
• Wikpedia: Inventors
  • Inventions Named After People
  • Inventions Named after Places
  • Inventors by Nationality
  • List of Inventors

For more information about an inventor and/or an invention, see these books and websites. All items are international in scope unless stated otherwise.

• National Inventors Hall of Fame
  Short biographies for over 500 individuals who have been inducted in the Hall of Fame.  Although "national" is in the name, many of these individuals either were born and/or resided in other countries.  What they have in common are technological advancement benefiting the U.S. and U.S. Patent holdings.  The database can be searched by Category (last name,  year inducted, academic institution, company, state/province, country) or Keyword.  
   
• About.com
  • Famous Invention
  • History & Bios - Famous Inventions & Famous Inventors
     
• Inventor Archive (Lemelson-MIT)
  Biographical profiles of great inventors, both historical and more recent.  
   
• Inventor Biography (Great Idean Finder) 
  Many of the biographies include links to other sources of information (books, websites) about the inventor. 

Films

• Ancient Discoveries
  T​he modern world likes to think of itself as innovative but the classical world had already invented some of the things that were thought to be breakthroughs. From Heron of Alexandria and the invention of the first steam engine, to the tomb of a Roman surgeon that reveals exquisite tools used to perform eye surgery for the removal of cataracts, this six-part series explores a world more complex and more contemporary than we could ever imagine. 6-part series, 50 minutes each.
   
• The Genius of Invention: Ideas That Changed the World 
  12 inventions are explored to show how they have changed the way we live our lives. They explain how these inventions came about—from sparks of genius to steady incremental improvements hammered out in workshops—and separate myth from reality in the lives of the great inventors. The four-part series looks at communications, power, speed and the visual image.  A BBC Production. 4-part series, 50 minutes each.​
   
• Quirky Science
  This 13-part series explores where science went awry and led to new discoveries and inventions. Each episode shows some past moments in science may seem crazy to us today, they made perfect sense at the time—and vice versa! It also shows how these moments led either to a breakthrough in understanding or to a new product. 13-part series, 25 minutes each.

Fun & Games

Activities: 

• Kids Pages (USPTO)

Funny Patents

• Crazy Patents*
• Funny Patents and Inventions*
• Patently Silly* 
• Wacky Patent of the Month
• Weird and Wonderful Patents*

*Not kept up-to-date.