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First oil well is drilled, Pennsylvania
On August 28, 1859, George Bissell and Edwin L. Drake created the first oil well. This well was at a site that contained an oil creek at Titusville, Pennsylvania. This oil well was the first commercial oil well in the United States. -
Transcontinental railroad is completed
On May 10th, 1869, The first Transcontinental railroad was completed and formed. This railroad was finally joint from coat to coast and driven into the rails at a ceremony at Promontory Summit in Utah. -
Rockefeller founds Standard Oil
Standard Oil was founded by John Rockefeller in 1870, and it became a monopoly throughout the years after. -
Bell patents telephone
On March 3rd, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell patents the Telephone. This invention revolutionized the way people lived and communicated. This invention allowed people to communicate over long distances. -
First telephone on White House
The first telephone was installed at the white house on May 10th, 1877 for President Rutherford B. Hayes. -
Edison perfects incandescent light bulb
On October 21st, 1879, Thomas Edison successfully perfects his incandescent light bulb. This bulb can last about 13.5 hours before burning out, and eventually he extends the life of this bulb to 40 hours. -
Railroads set up standard time zones
The Railroads set up standard time zones because many people demanded a more uniformed and organized time keeping system. So, the very powerful railroad companies took it into their own hands to create a new time code system. -
First electric trolley line, Richmond, VA
The Richmond Union Passenger Railway in Virginia was the first electric trolley line and it set the foundation for most other electric trolley lines everywhere. -
Sherman Antitrust Act is passed
On July 2nd, 1890, The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was passed; it was also the first federal law that outlawed monopolistic business practices. This Act was passed to prohibit any contract, trust, or conspiracy in restraint of foreign trade. -
Carnegie Steel Company is formed
Andrew Carneige sold his company to form the U.S. Steel Corporation; The Carnegie Steel Company was the most innovative steel company in America because Andrew Carnegie saw that innovation was the key to becoming more efficient. -
J.P. Morgan forms U.S. Steel
Carnegie did not want to work with Morgan, but the president of the company announced that Carnegie was ready to consider joining a steel trust; JP Morgan combines ten companies to form the United States Steel Corporation
