InventorSpot

Some may argue that the best way to learn about history is to go back in time. In the absence of an actual time machine (won't someone just invent one already?), you can make a short — really short — trip to the past through this online time-machine interface, which is being developed for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History's website.

Created by S. Hanlon in Houston, Texas, the interface is very much a work in progress. This preview (via Digital History) only gives you a small glimpse of an educational, interactive game that teaches you about American history. The basic premise is you encounter a time machine that sends you to a particular unknown date in the past. To return to the present, you have to answer multiple-choice questions regarding a historical event that occurred during the time to figure out the correct date. You explore the interface with your mouse to find hotspots, such as buttons and switches.

The time-machine interface is a fun and engaging way to learn about history, and I look forward to the finished product. In the meantime, let the fireworks begin. Happy Fourth of July!