Technologies of Industrial-Age and 21 st Century Production, Trade, and Communication

1. Technologies of Industrial-Age and 21st Century Production, Trade, and Communication

2. http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/eme/17/FC117

3. Early Steam Power Steam-Powered Mill • First invented by ancient Greeks – who applied water to power wheel • Cistern monks applied principle to milling grain into flour. • Mechanization applied to other tasks as the technology spread throughout Europe (spinning silk, boring the barrels from cannons and muskets, and making gunpowder) • Relevant video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ-5GCkV_TU

4. Mechanization of Textile Industry Spinning Jenny • Background: In 1700s, Britain had to compete with cheap textiles from its various colonies, especially India. Merchants want to increase rate of production • Mechanized handloom (1733), spinning Jenny (weave multiple threads at one time), coupled with steam power -> doubled production time

5. Steam Engine • Background: much of Britain deforested from the water-powered ripsaw. Looked to coal as new energy source, but it was very dirty. • 1783: smelting technique (rolling and puddling) removed impurities and made stronger product (coke). Coke could withstand higher steam pressure. • 1769: two chambered steam engine developed to mine coal • Once new steam engines implemented in textile industry – productivity increased by a factor of 30 times

6. Transportation revolution • 1804: First steam-powered locomotive • 1830’s railroads built across Europe and US • Impact: • Power of state increase as they financed the building of tracks • Settlement of interiors • Travel time reduced by 90 percent • Link country-side to cities, production areas to markets and raw materials, links interiors to coasts • Prices of products decrease, increased sales, increased production, new jobs, more disposable income – . Higher standard of living -> reinforcing cycle

7. Automobile: Technological System • Early 1880s, cars, using diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines, were developed and sold. 4000 cars were sold in 1900; 895,000 in 1915 and 3.7 million by 1927. • The car was as much a technological innovation as a management innovation • Henry Ford perfected the assembly line as he tried to standardize the production of cars. Prior to his efforts it took 12 hours to assemble a Model T car. He reduced that time to 93 minutes and by 1927, he further reduced the time to 24 seconds. • Ford developed a technological system – organizational structure to secure materials, assemble cars, market cars. Cars itself is an technological system – thousands of parts that integrate fuel, engine, transmission, power trains, brakes, suspension, lights, etc.. • There is a feedback loop shaping the technological system: manufacturers, distributors, sales people, and users.

8. Automobile: Technological System • Automobile industry foster other technological innovations: balloon tires, headlights, and ancillary technology such as traffic signals (which required government control and involvement) • Gas stations and repair shops became part of the technological system • 1915, the car loan and the trade-in were developed as marketing innovations • Automobile manufacturing spurred industrialization around the world , creating suburbia – and many other social consequences. Can you name some?

9. Electricity as Technological System • Electrifications shows how technical progress can overwhelms and establish new social and political orders • 1900s – invention of techniques to produce and distribute electric currents: battery, dynamo, and copper wire industry. At first electricity was private in the U.S. • In WW1, US Congress needed to manufacture gunpowder, so they authorized construction of a hydroelectric station in Alabama. After war finished, US government focused on completing the Wilson Dam – large dams affect public interest. 1933, TVA established by Pres. Roosevelt. • Remain a point of contention - should it be private or public. This debate is still being argued today? What do you think?

10. Airplanes Wight Brothers Plane • 1903 Wright brothers took flight. The technology built upon existing inventions gasoline, internal combustion engine. • By WWI, planes were used in combat. 1920’s planes used to carry mail and by 1930s passenger airlines were in use. • Tourism and recreation were revolutionized. Can you name another field? • Governments got involved again, constructing passenger terminals, standardized mail delivery, and government started own airlines as well (in addition to private ones)

11. Industrialization of the Home Vintage appliance advertisement • Dryers, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners (1901), washing machine (1910), gas and electric ovens and ranges, microwave ovens, toasters (1909), coffee makers, etc. • Domestic revolution contributed to the women’s liberation movement. • Advertisements and marketing created consumer demand • Homes are there own technological system. Can you name the parts?

12. Media and Communication Technologies • Radios harnessed multiple technologies to receive and transmit signals, and amplify sound waves • 1920s first commercial radio stations in US and Europe. It became new form of entertainment (as well as advertising/marketing). It also became a political tool, used by governments to broadcast propaganda and for espionage. • Home entertainment furthered with the development of the phonograph and the rise of technologies in the music recording industry • Late 1800s was also the time of the development of the film industry. Technologies to revolutionize this field – projection, voice and sound, colorization, etc. • The technology of radio was model for sending pictures via electromagnetic waves – and the development of the TV industry. 1930s commercial television ready for broadcast, but grew exponentially after World War II. • Global Media and the global village are now synonymous!