I grew up in Connecticut and all of my schooling was there. Were we told about any of the innovations and inventions, below, in school?

Yes, for the cotton gin, helicopter, and maybe a few others, but for the most part, no mention. Everyone should be taught the complete history of their state.

Little did I know that through 1954 Connecticut had the most historical firsts:

First constitution adopted, establishing representative government (1639)
First newspaper (1764)
First submarine (1775)
First American law school (1784)
First insurance company (1795)
First cotton gin (1799)
First dictionary (1807)
First movable parts mass production in use, making clocks (1808)
First revolver (1836)
First public art museum (1842)
First portable typewriter (1843)
First use of anesthesia (1844)
First sewing machine (1846)
First ice-making machine (1853)
First can opener (1858)
First tape measure (1868)
First pay phone (1877)
First collapsible toothpaste tube (1892)
First hamburger (1895)
First submarine (1900)
First lollipop (1908)
First Frisbee (1920)
First vacuum cleaner (1933)
First Polaroid camera (1934)
First helicopter (1939)
First color television (1948)
First atomic powered submarine (1954)