6.5 - Technological Innovation

Inventions

The late 19th century saw numerous pivotal inventions, such as the telegraph by Samuel F. B. Morse and the transatlantic cable by Cyrus W. Field, which revolutionized global communication. Other significant inventions included Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, the typewriter, and the Kodak camera, which collectively facilitated business operations and everyday life.

Steel Industry

The discovery of the Bessemer process for making steel revolutionized heavy industry, enabling the production of durable steel for railroads, buildings, and machinery. This advancement laid the groundwork for extensive infrastructure and urban development.

Edison and Westinghouse

Thomas Edison, with his Menlo Park research lab, introduced over a thousand inventions, including the phonograph and the practical electric lightbulb. George Westinghouse developed the air brake for railroads and high-voltage alternating current (AC), which facilitated the widespread use of electric power and the growth of electrical infrastructure.

Technology and Growth of Cities

Improvements in urban transportation, such as electric trolleys, elevated railroads, and subways, enabled cities to expand outward. The construction of skyscrapers, starting with William Le Baron Jenny's ten-story building in Chicago, reshaped city skylines, facilitated by innovations like the Otis elevator and central steam heating systems.

Marketing Consumer Goods

The rise of large department stores, like R. H. Macy's and Marshall Field’s, alongside chain stores and mail-order companies such as Sears, Roebuck & Co., revolutionized consumer goods marketing. Packaged foods from brands like Kellogg and Post became household staples, supported by advances in refrigerated transportation and canning. This era marked the emergence of a consumer culture driven by advertising and new marketing techniques.