-
Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin
In 1793, Whitney designed a machine that seperated cotonseed from short-staple cotton fiber to rapidly increase the production. With the invention, it cut hours of human labor in half, allowing the cotton industry to boom. Whitney fought many years to help prootect his patent on the Gin, but by the time he was successful, his invention had multiple companies producing them. Without Whitney, the production in the South would have never increased, causing the possible decay of Southern economy -
Period: to
Industrial Revolution
The time period of invention and production of America -
Robert Fulton and Robert R. Livingston
With the partnership lasting almost 20 years, Fulton and Livingston were partners on the first commercial steamboating ever. Livingston provided ideas and posessed a common drive, but lacked the knowledge on inventing and producing ideas. After Livingston met Fulton in France, Livingston persuaded people that they could create a steamboat that could travel up to 8 miles per hour, prompting interest. With Fulton already in control of a monolopy, Livingston would join in, helping own the steamboat -
Erie Canal
Before the Erie Canal, goods had to be transfered almost 400 miles over windy and treacherous terrain using only the brute strength of men and horses. In 1817, Dewitt Clinton, the current goverener of New York, proposed a 363 canal from Buffalo to Albany, New York, a feat of $7 million dollars. The canal was to be 40 feet wide, 4 feest deep, and built completely by man and horse. This achievement was called the "Engineering Marvel of the 19th Century." -
Black Ball Line
Before the Black Ball Line, the crossing of the Atlantic between Europe and America was a mess of unpredictable departures and arrivals, with no form or schedule. In 1817, a new system appeared, and the Black Ball Line emerged as a schedule-keeper and route-decider from New York City to England. The company estastablished regular departures and arrivals, and made New York City a top notch port, outshining even Boston and Philedalphia. -
Railroads in Baltimore
After the opening of the Erie Canal, the coastal city of Baltimore felt they also needed a method to transport goods from the ports further inland. After much planning, construction began on the B&O (Baltimore and Ohio) Railroad in 1828. By the finish of the construction and the beginning of use, the railroad line repowered the Baltimore economy and marked the beginning of coastal cities using railroads to ship goods inland. -
Joseph Henry and Samuel F.B. Morse
In 1830, Joseph Henry demonstrated the potential of Sturgeons electromagnet for long distance communincation. He proved that signals could be transmitted by wire. in 1844 the first intercity telegraph message was transmitted, from Balitimore to Washington, D.C., on the device Samuel Morse Invented back in 1832. The telegraph may have triggered more social changes then any other invention. -
Railroads in Boston: The First Hub
In 1830, soon after construction had began on railroads in Baltimore, the port city of Boston decided to also begin construction on railroads to ship goods to western states and open more trade options. This railroad, however, went out to 3 different locations: Lowell, Providence, and Worcester. Although these locations were each only about 45 miles away, Boston became the first railway hub in 1835 when the railroad lines were completed. -
Cyrus McCormick and The Reaper
Cyrus McCormick invented the horse drawn reaper in 1831 to cut hours of manual labor back. With the first device that automatically cuts, threses, and bundles grain, McCormick believed he had created a product that would forever change farming. Farmers,however,were skeptical. Even though the first patent for the invention was in 1834, the product did not become a sensation until 1851, guarenteeing 15 acres a day. This invention proved significant by creating crops even easier to produce. -
Charles Goodyear "Inventor of Vulcanization"
Charles Goodyear was the inventor of the Vulcanization process that permitted the commercial use of rubber. He was interested in treating adhesive quality and that would not melt. He discovered Vulcanization on accident when he dropped rubber sulfur mixture onto the stove creating a revolution. The "Goodyear" tire Rubber company (founded 1898) honours his name. Charles Goodyear changed the future with the discovery of Vulcanization. -
The Wilderness Road and The Philadelphia Lancaster Turnpike
Originally paths in 1795, these two roads west became important roads up to 1840. The roads were for long distance traveling, made out of broken stone and gravel plant. This marked the starting era of organized roads and travel improvements. Although the roads became useless after the invention of railroads and canals, the raod would regain support after the invention of the automobile. These roads proved key for westward migration from 1790-1840. -
Railroads in Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina was a port city that needed to change with the times and begin shipping goods to western states. In 1843, they decided that they would build their first line, a 136 mile section of tracks from Charleston to Hamburg. This marked the beginning of yet another railroad hub in a coastal city. -
The Clipper
The Clipper was an extremely fast sailing ship that was used to transport goods across the Atlantic from New York to England, especially with the Black Ball Line. The word "clip" has to do with speed in the sailing world. In 1845, the first "extreme clipper" was launched, revolutionizing trade and transportation. -
Elias Howe Inventor of the Sewing Machine
Elias Howe patented his design of the sewing machine. Howes invention helped towards the mass production of sewing machines and clothing. Before the invention was discovered and put into use, they sewn by hand which was agonizingly slow. In result, the cost of clothes became much cheaper and people were better dressed. On the flip side, it slowed the progress of the factory because it was adapted to use in the home. Elias Howes invention revolutionized the garment industry. -
North American Telegraph Company and the Western Union Telegraph Company
After the invention of the telegraph in 1832, many companies strived to lead this field of communication. The North American and the Western Union Telegraph Companies consolidated national networks. Together, they controlled more than one half of all telegraph lines in the United States. After the first demonstration in 1861 connections to San Francisco were completed. The telegraph, and both the North American and Western Union Telegraph Companies, had revolutionized communication forever! -
The Lowell Sytem continued...
and cultural opportunities. Lowell cut 25% wages, the workers responded with "The Factorie GIrls Association." Which was to rebel against Lowell. In return the New England farm girls were replaced by immigrants. The Irish came and took their jobs for low pay and longer hours. -
The Lowell System
The Lowell system was first an example of an planned automated factory. The machines were water powered unlike other factories. Lowell Built his factory on Charles river in Massachusetts. More factories started showing up on the Merrinick River. The workers in the factorie were mainly women. They were known as the "Lowell Mill girls." Working conditions were lousy, dangerious, and pay was minimal. The factories were successful producing a lot of textiles.Young women were provided with education -
Graduation Act of 1854
The Graduation Act was a bill passed to further decrease the cost of unsold public land. Buyers could buy one acre for as low as 12 cents! This also encouraged farmers to adjoin land and make sure they were not over-using their land. Settlers from Europe also came in over in flocks in light of the extremely cheap land. This Act is important since it encouraged planters during the boom, it brought immigrants, and because it brought on production in the Industrial Revolution.
