Industrial Growth in America

Electricity and Industry

• Electric power became commonplace in offices and homes by the turn of the century.

Trade and Industry

• Electric power was particularly important for trade and industry during this time period.

Transportation and Trade

• The introduction of refrigerated ships in the 1870s made possible the transportation of perishable goods over long distances.
• The new high-speed freighters made cheaper for Britain to import food and other goods.

Technological Advancements

• New high-efficiency steam engines made possible the development of high-speed freighters.

Electricity and Growth

• The development of electric power in offices and homes contributed to the growth of American industry in the late-nineteenth century.
• Electric power was one of the principal sources of industrial growth in the late-nineteenth century.

Innovations and Inventions

Communication

• Cyrus Field laid the first transatlantic telegraph cable to Europe.

Telephony

• Alexander Graham Bell developed the first commercial telephone.

Radio

• Guglielmo Marconi made significant contributions to the development of radio in the late-nineteenth century.

Office Technology

• The invention of the typewriter improved the pace of business organization.

Commerce

• John Patterson invented the cash register.

Electricity and Lighting

• Thomas Edison introduced electricity as a source of light and power.
• Edison also invented the incandescent lamp or lightbulb.