Technological Changes and Advancements During the late 1800s- early 1900s AP USH Unit 15 NCSCOS Goal 7 Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Macro ConceptsMicro Concepts  Innovation-an improvement, advancement in technology for the better.  Consumption-the act of using or buying something.  Change-a revolution in the way something is done.  Industrialization-the improvement of production and manufacture of goods using machines.  Technology-a modernization in a product.  Popular culture-Information and entertainment that is very well known.

George Westinghouse  Westinghouse was an inventor from the state of New York.  He made a fortune selling his railroad air brake.  He later made millions organizing the Westinghouse Electric Company that used the principle of AC [alternative current].  Electricity became very popular in many American homes and replaced

Mail Order Catalogs  Department stores such as Montgomery Ward [1872] and Sears-Roebuck [1886] began mail-order businesses.  Rural general stores were replaced for most household goods and that were previously considered rare luxuries to people in United States (e.g. sewing machines, lamps, telephones, etc.).  The goods were generally very inexpensive and disposal.  The waste produced by packaging created challenges for cities for garbage removal management.

The Kodak Camera  In 1892 George Eastman founded the Eastman-Kodak Company.  Eastman manufactured cameras that were small, had self-contained film and were durable.  The price of the cameras was low enough that most middle class people could afford them. Visual history (personal and shared) could be captured for the benefit of future generations.

Orville and Wilbur Wright  The Wright Brothers started out as bicycle makers and salesmen in the state of Indiana.  They were fascinated with birds in flight and wanted to make a safe and reliable flying machine that people could use.  After many months of design and testing the Wright brothers flew several successful short flights using gliders [wind aided] and flyers foot or leg power] in the town Kitty Hawk, N.C. in  The longest flight lasted 26 seconds. The Wright brothers became hugely wealthy and their planes were improved and used transport, recreation and military defense.

Henry Ford and his achievements  Henry Ford had been an employee of several early car companies in Michigan where he was from.  He started in own car company, The Ford Motor Company, in  His company paid its workers an excellent wage $5 a day.  To increase productivity and make cars faster, more cheaply he created an assembly line.assembly line  Production tasks were separated and people got better at their tasks because of the repetition.

The Model T  Ford rolled his most popular car the Model T in  It started off costing $825 but within 5 years cost $300 or less.  He was able to sell it cheaply because of the assembly line.  The car made individual travel much easier and safer.

Workers as consumers  Ford paid his workers very well and they had disposable income more than most American workers.  As a result of having good wages and income Ford workers participated in the economy as consumers [buyers].

Skyscrapers  Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s large multi-story buildings were built all over America’s largest cities.  Chicago and New York City were the two best examples of cities with skyscrapers.  The Chrysler and Empire State buildings both soared across the New York City skyline.  These buildings were a terrific example of the capability of American innovation to be the most advanced in the world. Other cities in countries around the world later began to construct such buildings but not to the degree that the U.S. did.

R.A.F.T. Paper  Select one of the topics or people addressed in this lesson and write a narrative in one of the following ways: [1] As an inventor/innovator who has developed one these items and has seen the impact its had on the United States. Describe your thoughts: surprise, satisfaction, amazement, disappointment, jealousy, etc. [2] As a foreigner from an undeveloped country who is visiting the United States for the first time. Describe your thoughts: surprise, satisfaction, amazement, disappointment, jealousy, etc. [3] As an ordinary U.S. citizen who is witnessing the changes these inventions/innovations have created. Describe your thoughts: surprise, satisfaction, amazement, disappointment, jealousy etc.

Image sources           crop.jpg/170px-Abraham_Lincoln_by_Alexander_Helser,_1860-crop.jpg