Inventions & Big Business

Front

Inventions & Big Business in the late 1800s

Back

The infrastructure of the United States changed over time due to various inventions, especially those influenced by electric current.

Front

Thomas Edison and the Light Bulb

Back

In the 1870s, Thomas Edison changed American businesses and homes with the invention of the electric light bulb.

Front

Impact of the Light Bulb

Back

The light bulb allowed factories to operate 24/7 and illuminated buildings, streets, and neighborhoods across the U.S.

Front

Alexander Graham Bell

Back

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, expanding telegraph communication capabilities.

Front

Business Consolidation

Back

Businesses maximized profits by combining corporations into single entities, establishing monopolies.

Front

Notable Industrialists

Back

Key figures included John D. Rockefeller (Standard Oil), Andrew Carnegie (Steel), and J.P. Morgan (banking and finance).

Front

Carnegie Steel Company's innovation.

Back

Carnegie Steel Company used the Bessemer process to forge steel more efficiently, leading to increased production and vertical integration.

Front

Carnegie's philanthropy.

Back

Andrew Carnegie was a major philanthropist, funding over 3,000 libraries and donating millions to educational causes.

Front

Vertical integration in business.

Back

Vertical integration involves controlling the entire production process from raw materials to finished products, reducing costs.

Front

Social impact of business methods.

Back

While society benefited from charitable investments (philanthropy), many small business owners and consumers were hurt by the business methods of monopolies.