ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY What makes our life easier today? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Is there a common thread or characteristic among them?

Advancements in Technology during The 2nd Industrial Revolution

STEEL The Bessemer process: Changes Iron to Steel Steel is stronger, also quicker and easier to make. Because it was easier to make there was a large supply of steel. This forced the price to drop. Steel was used for buildings (skyscrapers), Bridges, Nails, Tubes, Wires, Plows, Etc…

OIL Silliman discovers how to refine Oil into fuel. Kerosene was used in lamps, heat and cooking. Ed Drake pumped oil from the ground (Oil Well). Nicknamed “Drakes Folly” it pumped 20 barrels a day. Wildcatters were oil prospectors. Nicolas Otto invents the gas powered engine. Cars and Planes were developed.

RAILROADS Use of Steel made stronger & longer lines. Railroads became more reliable, quicker and safer methods of transportation. Westinghouse and Woods invent airbrakes. Sleeper Cars by Pullman made rail travel more comfortable. Refer – Refrigerator Cars allowed goods to be moved longer and greater distances. Efficiency and speed improve dropping prices and improving profits for merchants. Larger companies bought smaller Railroad companies.

ELECTRICITY Thomas Edison invents the usable electric light bulb in his Research Lab in Menlo Park, N.J. Tesla discovers AC current allowing Electricity to be transported over great distances. Alexander Graham Bell invents the Telephone. New York, Boston and Chicago Lines develop. Electricity was used for light, heat, power, transportation and communication.