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Chapter 15- Transformation of America. 15.1 Industry’s Golden Age. A. Technological Innovations. What kind of things is steel used for? Center of Industry- parts of machines, bridges, buildings, train rails
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Chapter 15- Transformation of America 15.1 Industry’s Golden Age
A. Technological Innovations • What kind of things is steel used for? Center of Industry- parts of machines, bridges, buildings, train rails • Henry Bessemer- “Bessemer Process” – converts iron ore into steel using a burst of hot air • Cheaper and easier • Alexander Holley improves it • 1865- 15,000 tons, 1910- 28 million tons • 2. 1869- 50,000 miles of rail- 1900- 200,000 why? -Increase in steel production leads to cheaper steel, which makes it cheaper to build railroads • Trunk lines- major railroads (stronger steel)- 6 crossed the plains • Feeder-branches of RR connected U.S. to trunk lines
3. Changes to RR • Bigger, more efficient, pulled more, faster • George Westinghouse- compressed air brake is safer because all cars stop at the same time • Granville T. Woods- telegraph to communicate with stations • Double tracks- 2 trains at once • Standardized tracks- cars could move all over the U.S., less stops, cheaper, faster • G. Pullman- comfort cars • 4. Effects- Better economy- more jobs • Growth of towns (West and East) • New towns • National market- RR connects country • Refrigerated cars- meat, dairy, veggies, no stops for ice • Culture of USA- way of life changed • More material possessions, ideas • Songs: Wabash cannonball, Casey Jones
B. Communications 1. Rise in industry- telegraph becomes important • 2. 1876 Alexander G. Bell- telephone, better communication • Required operator- woman (available, easy, friendly, soft, low pay, small hands)- 1900- over a million phones installed 3. Type writer- Christopher Sholes- quick and easy to read
C. New sources of Energy- for factory machines, trains (industry) • 1.Oil- not new, but not a fuel until 1850’s • Ben Silliman refined into kerosene • Wells dotted PA, OH, WV • 1880- 25 million barrels/ year 2. Electricity- natural phenomenon • Thomas Alva Edison- steam and water generator, light bulb, stock ticker, electric ballot, phonograph, electric street car, electric power plant, etc. • Others improved on his designs
D. Rise of Big Business • 1.Laissez- Faire Capitalism- “Hands Off”- no government regulations • Social Darwinism- survival of the fittest 2. Businesses get bigger • Prior to 1860’ • Proprietorship- ownership of 1 • Partnership- ownership by more than 1 • Rise of corporation- ownership of many- sell shares • Stock/ stock holders- % of profits • Dividends • Limited liability- no debt, only + or = • Trusts- group of corporations, a board of directors holds the power • Led to monopolies so made illegal
3.Carnegie/ Steel • -Economies of Scale- buy bulk supplies and produce lots of goods- cheaper • -Vertical integration- control costs of parts by buying those companies 4. Rockefeller/ Oil- Standard Oil Company -Horizontal integration- 1 company owns others (controls the market)
5.Government and Businesses – tariff on imports “Buy American”-Regulated- Sherman Anti-Trust Act, declares all monopolies and trusts that restrain trade illegal. Not clear 6.Mass Marketing- Advertising -Labels, billboards, posters, TV, radio, etc. -Macy’s department store- bought bulk -Sears- chain, mail order, internet order -Wal-Mart, Eckerd, McDonalds