Industiral_Revolution

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a period in which important changes occurred in manufacturing, transportation, and economic systems in the nation. The First Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, grew into the Second Industrial Revolution around 1850, when the economy progressed with the development of steam-powered ships, railways, and later in the 19th century with engines and electricity. The changes that occurred during this period (1760-1850) occurred gradually. In the early 1900’s the expansion of the nation’s railroad system helped boost the industrial development. These advances also helped improve the production of supplies such as food and materials which generally led to the increase in profits. This led to the increase in immigration throughout the United States. As a result, the Industrial Revolution made an overall positive effect on the United States and led to American growth. Industrialization never would have happened so quickly if it wasn't for the rapid development of new ideas, processes and machinery. The major inventions of the Industrial Revolution replaced physical labor with new inventions and machinery. Some major inventions that came about during the Industrial Revolution were the steam engine, the cotton gin, the airplane, and the telephone. The steam engine was invented by James Watt in 1775. Watt wasn’t the first one to invent the steam engine, but he was the first one to invent a steam engine that worked. A steam engine is a device that converts energy into steam and was commonly used in steam locomotive trains, and steamships. Steamships and steam locomotives allowed for quicker transportation of raw materials that could be used to produce goods. The cotton gin was invented byEli Whitney in 1793. During this time period, there was a major growth in the use of cotton, and Whitney helped produce a machine that allowed farmers to produce cotton at a faster rate. This famous machine was made to remove cotton from its seeds. “The process uses wire teeth hammered into a rotating wooden cylinder to snare the cotton fibers and pull them through a grate. The slots in this grate were too narrow for the cotton seed to pass, so that the fibers were pulled away from the seed” (Phillips 2). In 1903, the first airplane was invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright or the Wright brothers. The first airplane was called the Kitty Hawk, which was named after where the Wright brothers flew their first airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wilbur created a method for the pilot to control the airplane. If the pilot wanted to turn to the left, the wings could be curved to provide more lift on the wings on the right side of the airplane. The brothers also worked out a system for 3-axis control that is still used today on a variety of aircrafts. Lastly, in 1876 the first telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell. This device enabled two people to exchange conversation through electrical wires. The first telephone conversation was made between Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson. Bell made the call to his assistant saying, “Mr. Watson-come here-I want to see you.” This new device had a major impact on the nation and led to a major increase in communication. The Industrial Revolution also would not have occurred if it weren’t for many industrialists that helped build new ideas that supported the revolution. These wealthy businessmen include Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and J.P. Morgan. Andrew Carnegie was born on November 25, 1835 (Nasaw 23). Growing up, Carnegie became interested in the stock business and later founded a steel company called Carnegie Steel Company in the 1870’s. His steel company was the largest and most profitable company in the world. When he was ready to give up work, he became known as one of the world’s richest men and gave away most of his money to help fund the establishment of many libraries, schools, and universities in America. Another wealthy businessman was John D. Rockefeller. John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839. Rockefeller expanded the petroleum industry and in 1870, he founded the Standard Oil Company. “By 1872, Standard Oil had purchased and controlled nearly all the refining firms in Cleveland. Standard Oil prospered and all of its properties were merged in into the Standard Oil Trust in 1882, which was effectively one giant company” (Nasaw 23). Overall, Rockefeller became the world’s largest manufacturer of oil and greatly aided the Industrial Revolution. Next, Cornelius Vanderbilt developed his wealth through railroads and transporting goods. He was born on May 27, 1794 and grew up around ferries (Nasaw32). Vanderbilt eventually controlled most of the ferry traffic in New York waters, but in 1818 he sold his fleet and went to work for a steamship line run by Thomas Gibbons. When Vanderbilt was around the age of 70, he decided to go off in a new direction and build railroads. In 1867, Vanderbilt acquired the Central Railroad and merged it with the Hudson River Railroad (Sewall 1). He then continued to acquire many railroads and became one of the wealthiest railroadindustrialists in the world. Finally, the most well known finance businessman was J. P. Morgan. Born on April 17, 1837, Morgan was raised into finance through his father (Nasaw 43). Morgan entered into the banking industry in 1857 through his father’s company. After his father’s death, Morgan took over his father’s company. It was after the Civil War that he started buying distressed businesses and especially railroad companies. “Some of these railroads include the West Shore, Philadelphia and Reading, Richmond Terminal, the Erie and the New England railroads” (Leon 3). His process of buying and consolidation of railroads came to be known as Morganization.He also became known as the world’s wealthiest finance businessman.