Gilded Age Inventions Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the Bessemer process used for?

Transmitting signals

Creating electricity

Mass production of steel (correct)

Harvesting crops

Who invented the light bulb?

Thomas Edison

What was the telegraph used for?

Transmitting signals over a wire for communication

What does the phonograph do?

Reproduces sound from records Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the typewriter?

Christopher Sholes Signup and view all the answers

What is an elevator?

A device that moves people between floors Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the telephone?

Alexander Graham Bell Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanical reaper used for?

Harvesting wheat quickly Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the transcontinental railroad?

Linking the eastern railroad system with California's railroad system Signup and view all the answers

Who started the world's first mail order catalog business?

Aaron Montgomery Ward Signup and view all the answers

What innovation allowed skyscrapers to be built?

New methods of cast iron and steel beams Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced Coca-Cola?

Dr. John Pemberton Signup and view all the answers

What is a streetcar?

A wheeled vehicle on rails propelled by electricity Signup and view all the answers

What does a motion picture projector do?

Reproduces moving images Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the electric chair?

To demonstrate the dangers of alternating current Signup and view all the answers

Who financed the transatlantic cable?

Cyrus Field Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the diesel engine?

Rudolf Diesel Signup and view all the answers

Who are the inventors of the airplane?

Wright Brothers Signup and view all the answers

Who invented the steel plow?

John Deere Signup and view all the answers

What is an automobile?

A 4-wheeled motor vehicle that utilizes an internal combustion engine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Inventions and Innovations of the Gilded Age

Bessemer Process: Developed by Henry Bessemer, revolutionized steel production allowing mass creation of steel from molten pig iron, significantly advancing industrial capabilities.
Light Bulb: Invented by Thomas Edison, it extended the workday with safer lighting, leading to increased demand for new buildings and technologies in urban centers.
Telegraph: Pioneered by Samuel Morse, it allowed rapid long-distance communication through electrical signals, transforming business and communication.
Phonograph: Also invented by Thomas Edison, this device reproduced sound using records, marking a significant advancement in audio technology.
Typewriter: Created by Christopher Sholes in 1867, it transformed workplaces and created job opportunities for women as secretaries, altering office dynamics.
Elevator: Developed by Elisha Otis, it facilitated vertical movement in buildings, crucial for skyscraper construction, significantly changing urban living.
Telephone: Invented by Alexander Graham Bell, it enabled instant voice communication over distances, enhancing personal and business interactions.
Mechanical Reaper: Innovated by Cyrus McCormick, this machine quickly harvested wheat, boosting agricultural productivity.
Transcontinental Railroad: Completed in 1869 at Promontory, Utah, it interconnected the eastern and western U.S. rail systems, transforming westward transportation and commerce.
Mail Order Catalog Business: Initiated by Aaron Montgomery Ward, it allowed rural customers to purchase goods directly through a catalog, reducing reliance on local stores.
Skyscraper: By the 1870s, structural advancements allowed taller buildings to be constructed, leading to urban vertical expansion rather than horizontal sprawl.
Coca-Cola: Dr. John Pemberton introduced this soft drink in Atlanta pharmacies, beginning its iconic status with sales at 5¢ a glass.
Streetcar: Electrically powered rail vehicles that facilitated mass transit, enabling suburban growth and commuting for a burgeoning middle class in cities.
Motion Picture Projector: Edison's kinetoscope was designed to project moving images, revolutionizing entertainment.
Electric Chair: Introduced by Edison General Electric to showcase the dangers of alternating current (AC), it was used in the first execution at Auburn prison, highlighting the debate over electrical safety.
Transatlantic Cable: Financed by Cyrus Field, this underwater cable linked American and European telegraph networks, enhancing international communication.
Diesel Engine: Invented by Rudolf Diesel in 1892, characterized by its efficiency and power for larger vehicles, reshaping transportation industries.
Airplane: Innovated by the Wright Brothers, marked the beginning of powered flight, leading to future developments in aviation.
Steel Plow: John Deere's invention allowed farmers to break through tough prairie soil, improving agricultural efficiency in the Midwest.
Automobile: Four-wheeled motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that transformed American lifestyle and overtook railroads as significant economic growth drivers.

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Description

Explore key inventions and innovations from the Gilded Age with these flashcards. Learn about transformative technologies like the Bessemer process, the light bulb, and the telegraph that shaped modern society. Ideal for students or anyone interested in history and technological advancements.