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During the Pre-Industrial Era, what was the primary power source in the US in the mid-1800s?
During the Pre-Industrial Era, what was the primary power source in the US in the mid-1800s?
Which factor contributed to the initial growth of the coal industry between 1840-1900?
Which factor contributed to the initial growth of the coal industry between 1840-1900?
What were some industries that were impacted by the transition to coal during the initial growth of the industry?
What were some industries that were impacted by the transition to coal during the initial growth of the industry?
Which process was even better than the Bessemer Process and was developed in the 1860s?
Which process was even better than the Bessemer Process and was developed in the 1860s?
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What was a major impact of the excessive competition in the iron and steel industries?
What was a major impact of the excessive competition in the iron and steel industries?
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What was the aim of the industry consolidation in the early 1900s?
What was the aim of the industry consolidation in the early 1900s?
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What caused a large decline in coal production throughout the 1950s?
What caused a large decline in coal production throughout the 1950s?
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Which event led to the creation of the Department of Energy in 1977?
Which event led to the creation of the Department of Energy in 1977?
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Which event caused a decrease in world oil supply by 7 million barrels per day?
Which event caused a decrease in world oil supply by 7 million barrels per day?
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Which industry became the 3rd largest industry in the United States?
Which industry became the 3rd largest industry in the United States?
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Which act reduced domestic crude oil prices and further decreased supply?
Which act reduced domestic crude oil prices and further decreased supply?
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During the New Deal era, the public demanded the development of public power due to the collapse of Samuel Insull's empire. Which government agency was created in response to this demand?
During the New Deal era, the public demanded the development of public power due to the collapse of Samuel Insull's empire. Which government agency was created in response to this demand?
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Which government agency coordinated hydroelectric projects under federal control in the 1920s?
Which government agency coordinated hydroelectric projects under federal control in the 1920s?
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Which government act aimed to restrict utilities companies and prevent fraudulent private sector activities like those of Samuel Insull?
Which government act aimed to restrict utilities companies and prevent fraudulent private sector activities like those of Samuel Insull?
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Which government agency was responsible for encouraging commercial nuclear power and regulating its safety?
Which government agency was responsible for encouraging commercial nuclear power and regulating its safety?
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Which energy source was the primary power source in the US during the Pre-Industrial Era?
Which energy source was the primary power source in the US during the Pre-Industrial Era?
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What was the main reason for the initial growth of the coal industry between 1840-1900?
What was the main reason for the initial growth of the coal industry between 1840-1900?
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Which type of coal was cheaper and caused significant pollution?
Which type of coal was cheaper and caused significant pollution?
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What was the major cause of the decline in coal production throughout the 1950s?
What was the major cause of the decline in coal production throughout the 1950s?
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Which industry experienced a resurgence in the coal market from 1970 to the present?
Which industry experienced a resurgence in the coal market from 1970 to the present?
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What was the primary impact of the growth of the coal industry in the late 1800s?
What was the primary impact of the growth of the coal industry in the late 1800s?
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Which energy source shaped the settlement of towns in the US during the Pre-Industrial Era?
Which energy source shaped the settlement of towns in the US during the Pre-Industrial Era?
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What impact did the Bessemer Process have on the price of steel?
What impact did the Bessemer Process have on the price of steel?
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What impact did the conditions of excessive competition and instability of prices and output have on the iron and steel industries?
What impact did the conditions of excessive competition and instability of prices and output have on the iron and steel industries?
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What was the aim of the industry consolidation in the early 1900s?
What was the aim of the industry consolidation in the early 1900s?
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What caused the decline in demand for coal furnaces after World War II?
What caused the decline in demand for coal furnaces after World War II?
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What impact did the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 have on the coal industry?
What impact did the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 have on the coal industry?
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Which company pioneered the electric power industry through the invention of the arc-light system?
Which company pioneered the electric power industry through the invention of the arc-light system?
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What impact did the merger between Thomson-Houston Electric Company and Edison General Electric have on the incandescent lighting industry?
What impact did the merger between Thomson-Houston Electric Company and Edison General Electric have on the incandescent lighting industry?
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Which act lifted domestic controls on the oil industry in response to the oil crisis in 1981?
Which act lifted domestic controls on the oil industry in response to the oil crisis in 1981?
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What was the primary remaining industry after the Supreme Court disbanded Standard Oil in 1911?
What was the primary remaining industry after the Supreme Court disbanded Standard Oil in 1911?
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Which event caused a decrease in world oil supply by 4 million barrels per day?
Which event caused a decrease in world oil supply by 4 million barrels per day?
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Which government agency was responsible for building oil pipelines from Texas to New Jersey and Pennsylvania during World War II?
Which government agency was responsible for building oil pipelines from Texas to New Jersey and Pennsylvania during World War II?
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Which industry was heavily imported by the US after World War II in 1947?
Which industry was heavily imported by the US after World War II in 1947?
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Which government act created price ceilings and reduced domestic supply while demand more than doubled from 1973-1977?
Which government act created price ceilings and reduced domestic supply while demand more than doubled from 1973-1977?
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Which event led to the creation of OPEC in 1974?
Which event led to the creation of OPEC in 1974?
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Which industry surpassed kerosene as a marketable item in 1915?
Which industry surpassed kerosene as a marketable item in 1915?
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Which government act rolled back domestic crude oil prices and further decreased supply in 1975?
Which government act rolled back domestic crude oil prices and further decreased supply in 1975?
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Which individual played a key role in the collapse of Samuel Insull's empire and the subsequent demand for public power development during the New Deal era?
Which individual played a key role in the collapse of Samuel Insull's empire and the subsequent demand for public power development during the New Deal era?
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Which government act aimed to protect consumers and restrict the activities of utilities companies like Samuel Insull's?
Which government act aimed to protect consumers and restrict the activities of utilities companies like Samuel Insull's?
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Which government agency was responsible for coordinating hydroelectric projects under federal control in the 1920s, but ultimately took a backseat to the Rural Electrification Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority?
Which government agency was responsible for coordinating hydroelectric projects under federal control in the 1920s, but ultimately took a backseat to the Rural Electrification Administration and Tennessee Valley Authority?
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Which government agency was created during the New Deal era to address the lack of electricity in rural areas and worked in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority for rural electrification projects?
Which government agency was created during the New Deal era to address the lack of electricity in rural areas and worked in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority for rural electrification projects?
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Which government agency had a wide range of duties including energy production, irrigation, reforestation, erosion control, and played a significant role in combating the Dust Bowl and the Recession?
Which government agency had a wide range of duties including energy production, irrigation, reforestation, erosion control, and played a significant role in combating the Dust Bowl and the Recession?
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Which government agency was responsible for encouraging commercial nuclear power and regulating its safety, but was abolished in 1974 and replaced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1975 due to regulatory controversy?
Which government agency was responsible for encouraging commercial nuclear power and regulating its safety, but was abolished in 1974 and replaced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1975 due to regulatory controversy?
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Which government agency played a significant role in the development of hydroelectric power by creating numerous hydroelectric dams along the Tennessee river system, creating jobs, and attracting businesses?
Which government agency played a significant role in the development of hydroelectric power by creating numerous hydroelectric dams along the Tennessee river system, creating jobs, and attracting businesses?
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Study Notes
Pre-Industrial Era Energy Sources
- Wood was the primary energy source in the US during the Pre-Industrial Era.
- Town settlement patterns in the US were shaped by the availability of wood as an energy source.
Growth of the Coal Industry (1840-1900)
- Initial growth of the coal industry was fueled by the rise of railroads and steam engines.
- Cheaper types of coal, known as bituminous coal, were predominant but caused significant pollution.
Impacted Industries
- The iron and steel industries were significantly impacted by the transition to coal for energy and production.
- Growth in coal usage contributed to the expansion of industries reliant on heavy machinery and manufacturing.
Advances in Steel Production
- The Open Hearth Process, developed in the 1860s, surpassed the Bessemer Process in steel production quality.
- The Bessemer Process dramatically lowered the price of steel, making it more accessible.
Competition and Consolidation
- Excessive competition in the iron and steel industries led to unstable prices and output.
- Industry consolidation aimed to stabilize prices and reduce competition in the early 1900s.
Declines and Crises
- Coal production faced a major decline in the 1950s due to the rise of natural gas and nuclear energy.
- The OPEC oil embargo in 1973 caused significant disruptions, leading to increased interest in coal.
Government Actions and Agencies
- The creation of the Department of Energy in 1977 was a response to energy crises and regulatory needs.
- The Federal Power Commission coordinated hydroelectric projects in the 1920s.
Regulatory Frameworks
- The Public Utilities Holding Company Act aimed to restrict utilities companies and prevent fraudulent practices.
- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission replaced the Atomic Energy Commission in 1975 for regulating commercial nuclear power.
Industry Transformations
- The electric power industry was pioneered by the Thomson-Houston Electric Company's arc-light system.
- The merger of Thomson-Houston Electric Company and Edison General Electric had a transformative effect on the incandescent lighting industry.
Demand and Supply Dynamics
- The Energy Policy Act of 1981 lifted controls on domestic oil prices in response to the 1970s oil crisis.
- The Controlled Substance Act created price ceilings, resulting in reduced domestic supply from 1973-1977.
Major Events in the Energy Industry
- The decline in demand for coal furnaces after World War II was influenced by the widespread adoption of natural gas.
- Oil imports surged in the US following World War II as domestic production struggled to meet demand.
Key Figures and Legislation
- Samuel Insull's empire collapse prompted public demand for more reliable public power during the New Deal era.
- The Tennessee Valley Authority played a significant role in rural electrification and development of hydroelectric power.
Additional Notes
- Kerosene surpassed coal in market value as the preferred fuel source in 1915.
- The Rural Electrification Administration focused on providing electricity to underserved rural areas during the New Deal.
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Quiz: The Rise and Fall of Samuel Insull and the Electric Power Industry Test your knowledge about Samuel Insull, the former secretary of Thomas Edison who became a powerful figure in the electric power industry. Learn about his role in the formation of holding companies, manipulation of stocks, and the eventual collapse of his empire. Discover how these events led to a public demand for public power and the subsequent introduction of the New Deal.
