-
First oil well is drilled, Pennsylvania
American oil history began in northwestern Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859, near Titusville when a well specifically drilled for oil found it. -
Transcontinental Railroad is completed
The railroad, when finished was 1,912 miles stretching from Omaha all the way to Sacramento. It was started in 1863 and was done in 1869. -
Rockefeller founds Standard Oil
In 1870, John D. Rockefeller founded standard oil, with a couple of partners. It grew to be the largest oil company in the world. -
Bell patents telephone
On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone, which was a fairly new invention and it allowed people to talk over long distances. -
First White House Telephone
In 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes, the president at the time, installed a telephone in the telegraph room. It was rarely used however. -
Edison perfects incandescent lightbulb
In November 1879, Thomas Edison perfected the lightbulb. This was a milestone because people didn't need candles anymore. -
Railroads Set up Time Zones
In desperate need of a standard time zone for railroads, four were introduced on November 18, 1883. This made it much easier to run railroads because everyone could work together easier. -
First electric trolley line, Richmond, VA
On February 2, 1888, the First trolley line started in Richmond, VA. It allowed people to move around quicker. -
Sherman Antitrust Act passd
On July 2, 1890 the Sherman Antitrust Act was passed. It was the first act that went against monopolization in the US. -
Carnegie steel formed
This was the first major steel company to be made, and it was made by Andrew Carnegie. It rained over the steel industry for many years as the dominant force in the field. -
JP Morgan founds US Steel
Carnegie steel and a bunch of smaller corporations merged to form U.S.Steel in 1901.
