Overview
This lecture discusses major inventions and inventors that drove U.S. industrialization between 1870 and 1900, highlighting their societal impacts and technological advancements.
Inventions and Patents
- Inventions increased industrial efficiency after the Civil War.
- The U.S. Patent Office incentivized invention by protecting intellectual property.
- Patent filings grew significantly from 1870 to 1900, reflecting rapid innovation.
Societal Changes and Industrialization
- Large waves of immigration and rapid urbanization characterized this era.
- By the 1920s, more Americans lived in cities than rural areas.
- Industrialization refers to efficiently producing goods using new technologies.
Key Technological Advancements
- The steam engine enabled factories to use machine-made power.
- Commercial electricity replaced steam for lighting and powering factories.
- The invention of the flush toilet and indoor plumbing improved health and standard of living.
Innovations in Materials
- The Bessemer and open hearth processes revolutionized steel production.
- These methods made steel stronger, cheaper, and widely available for bridges, buildings, and vehicles.
Communication Breakthroughs
- Telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse, enabled long-distance communication with Morse code.
- The 1858 transatlantic cable allowed near-instant U.S.-Europe communication.
- Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, improving communication beyond coded messages.
- AT&T expanded telephone access to the general public.
Thomas Edison and the Invention Culture
- Thomas Edison was a prolific inventor with over 2,000 patents by age 25.
- Created the first modern research laboratory at Menlo Park.
- Edison invented the phonograph, motion picture projector, and the incandescent light bulb.
- George Westinghouse invented alternating current (AC), enabling electricity delivery over long distances.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Patent — Legal protection for inventions, granting exclusive rights to inventors.
- Urbanization — The shift of populations from rural to urban areas.
- Industrialization — The process of developing industries for mass production.
- Bessemer Process — A method for producing steel efficiently and cheaply.
- Alternating Current (AC) — An electrical system for transmitting power over distances.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of major inventions from this era.
- Read about Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell for further detail.