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James Oliver Patents Improvement to the Chilled Plow
James Oliver transformed life for homesteaders in 1868 with the improvements that he made to the chilled plow in South End, Indiana. This plow was better equipped for the Midwestern terrain and could hold up to damage from the rocks.The improvements to the plow meant less down time for the farmers therefore they could work more efficiently. Although plows had been around for many years, this plow was the first one manufactured that held up for the famers making it an important piece of history. -
Joseph Glidden Patents Barbed Wire
In 1873, Joseph Glidden, in DeKalb, Illinois, patented barbed wire, coined the "devils rope" by the Indians. This changed the way of life on the western frontier because prior to this invention farmers were not able to fence off their land and cattle often grazed together. Cattle ranchers were now able to fence off parcels of land putting an end to communal grazing. This did not make the Indians happy because it limited their access and took something that they never thought could be owned. -
City Beautiful Movement
The City Beautiful Movement was started to improve the quality of life in the congested cities. The low-income workers were often living in unsanitary conditions. The goals of this movement were to create parks, paint buildings, have wider streets and improve the landscape in these areas. This would give those living in poverty green spaces to use. Washington, D.C was one of the first places that was modernized in 1901. This movement continued to impact urban development into the 20th century. -
Boston's Subway System Began
Boston's subway system was born to combat the transportation issues in the busy city of Boston, MA but many other cities followed. Prior to the subway system, there were many issues with transportation in these areas. Horses had to rest and then there was also the issues with manure. The omnibuses did not work well in busy cities and as skyscrapers went up the elevated trains did not work either. Subways took transportation underground and solved all of those issues. -
President Wilson Orders the Creation of the National Labor War Board
In April of 1918, from the White House, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the creation of the National Labor War Board. During this time of war, millions of young men had been drafted taking them from the current active workforce as well as the increased need for production during the war. It was imperative that businesses have productive laborers during this time to keep things operating. In exchange for not having strikes, protection of workers rights was promised by the government. -
Henry Ford Decreases Cost of Model T to $300 By Assembly Line Production
Henry Ford with his visions of an assembly line production was able to get the cost of his Model T Fords down to three hundred dollars by 1924. This benefited the lower income population that had only dreamed of automobile ownership in the past. This put millions of automobiles on American streets by 1929. Used Model T Fords could be purchased for as little as five dollars. The factory in Detroit, MI, did not allow workers to unionize but did offer equal pay to black and whites.
