Industrialization and Immigration
By Nia Freeman
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a time of change in which new industries promptly developed, and new methods were adopted. There were numerous advanced inventions, there were new ways in which products were produced, and living & working conditions of which people were in, changed rapidly. The result of this time period, was the Industrial Revolution.
The Steamboat (1807)
Robert Fulton was a miniaturist and landscape painter when he created the steamboat. His invention made way for two-way travel up and down rivers. Fulton's first steamboat, the "Clermont" could travel 150 miles upstream, between New York and Albany, at an average of 5 mph.
The Sewing Machine (1833)
The first lock-switch sewing machine was invented by Walter Hunt, but he soon loses interest and does not patent his new material. Later on, Elias Howe secures patent on an original lock-switch sewing machine, but then fails to sell and manufacture it. Even later on, Isaac Singer breaks Howe's patent and creates his own machine, which soon made him rich.
Passenger Elevator (1857)
Elisha Graves Otis creates his invention, the passenger elevator, in 1857. He demonstrates that the elevator has a unique braking system, by cutting the elevator's cables. As it ascends a 300 foot tower, Otis' braking system stops the elevator from falling. Due to this demonstration, his business prospects rise.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was an American inventor who was born into slavery in Missouri. The exact date of his birth is unknown. Carver's reputation was based on his time spent on the study of alternative crops for cotton. Such alternatives were peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes, which also gave more nutrition to farmers and their families. He also came up with many different products that were made out of peanuts, including: cosmetics, dyes, paints, plastics, gasoline, and nitroglycerin. George Washington Carver received various honors for his work, one of them being the Spingarn Medal of the NAACP.
Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was one of the most famous inventors of all time. He influenced many things that are now in modern society. He invented things like the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. Edison also improved the telegraph and telephone. In Edison's 84 years, he patented 1,093 of his inventions. Thomas Edison made a large impact on today's society. Without his work, things would most likely not be the same.
The Riding Plow, and How It Changed Industrialization
John Deere made the first successful riding plow in 1837. His steel plow allowed farmers to turn heavy sod easily, which would usually stick to the wooden and iron plows. The steel plow made farming much less harsh. Even during the Civil War, 25 years later, women and young children of the South would use this invention, allowing the men to be away at war. The steel plow made agriculture much simpler, and changed how things were forever.
Improvements in Transportation
With the Industrial Revolution, transportation was improved. Because there were advanced factories, parts could be made faster, for less money. Railroads could be made more efficiently, iron ships and boats could be produced, and cars could now have interchangeable parts. With these improvements, came inventions. An example of this would be the steamboat. It helped to make shipments faster, and was more stable. Due to these small and large changes, technology and transportation today is more advanced.
Benefits to Society
Because of the changes made during the Industrial Revolution, things have created a near circle effect. The Industrial Revolution led to better technology, better technology led to new inventions and ideas. The new inventions and ideas helped lead to more modern technology. Modern technology will create new methods, and everything will start all over again. Due to the Industrial Revolution, new ideas and new inventions have helped us to modernize technology, and gives us inspiration to create better inventions. With helpful and modern inventions life can become simpler, which benefits everyone in the long run.