Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Metals and Ores- Vicki G.
Mining Scoop Cars
Many other advancements resulted from and further fueled the Industrial Revolution. The chemical processing and development of aluminum during this time was profound. Aluminum was light, durable, inexpensive, and a great electricity conductor. Hydraulic mining and leaching processes increased the yields from gold mining. After Sam Brannan, a Mormon shouted that gold was coming from a river, people raced from all over the country to get a share of gold. Copper also was an important discovery in Michigan in 1844 and in 1845, 12 tons were taken from the copper cliff mine along the coast of Lake Michigan. Lead ore would also be turned directly into white lead, a base for paint manufacture, throught the use of an electro-magnet. Advancements in equipment and proesses during this innovative era would increase the yield of natural mineral and ore resources and stimulate further industrialization.
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles35/19th-century-8.shtml
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Coal Mining- Vicki G.
Oil- Vicki G.
John D. Rockefeller led Standard Oil to be an important and profitable corporation during this time. Part of John D. Rockefeller’s success in the oil business was his business practices. One thing he did was to have refiners who wanted to work with Standard Oil sign a contract stating that they would not tell how much money they made.
How jealous others might be if they knew his wealth. By 1880, Standard Oil controlled most of the refineries in the US and had cash in the amount of forty million dollars.
Rockefeller's Arguments to the Refiners;
"Three years ago I took over the Cleveland refineries. I have managed them so that to-day I pay a profit to nobody. I do my own buying I make my own acid and barrels, I control the New York terminals of both the Erie and Central roads, and ship such quantities that the railroads give me better rates than they do any other shipper. In 1873 I shipped over 700'000 barrels by the Central, and my profit on my capitalization,$ 2'500'000, was over $ 1'000'000. This was the result of combination in one city. ... Le us become the nucleus of private company which gradually shall acquire control of all refineries everywhere, become the only shippers, and consequently the master of the railroads in the matter of freight rates."
(Retrieved from http://www.micheloud.com/FXM/SO/consolid.htm )
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Factories and Mills -Jennifer P.
Many manufacturing advancements lead to others. The Bessemer process produced a large volume of high quality, low-cost steel that was used in many important buildings, railroads, bridges, and machinery in the factories in America. Improved metal working produced tools to manufacture even better factory tools. Rather than crude metal working with heat and hammer, tools and other products were cast, stamped, drilled, and lathed with precision. The invention of the cotton gin, power loom, sewing machine, and steam engine were fundamental in the development of the textile industry. Production increased as factories used power from steam engines later progressing with the use of internal combustion engines and electric motors. Advancements in power and transportation allowed factories to be located away from rivers. The increased production created both a growing industrial labor class and a growing middle-class of eager consumers.
Resource: http://www.americanhistory.about.com/
Inventions and Innovations - Christian S.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Transportation by Charles McW.
Development in transportation occurred quickly in the 19th century. Roads, steamboats, canals, and railroads all had a positive effect on the American economy. The United States became more diverse by the new availability to sell more products in new areas of the country and opening new markets. American roads were built and financed by private investors to imitate the infrastructure of England and France. Turnpikes were charged with the tolls for travel to generate funds for the private investors. Although tolls were found to be unprofitable, the turnpikes allowed for cheaper domestic transportation of goods.
Steamboats were the first economical means of inland transport. They were faster and cheaper than the rafts used before them. Steamboats made the northwest less self-dependent because of the new available goods offered from the south. Although steamboats sparked the economy of the west, canals were popular in the east.
Canals were an important source for farmers and merchants who needed a cheap method of inland transportation. Canals were both economical for exporters and for the state generating money from tolls. In the United States, navigable canals reached into isolated areas and brought them in touch with the world beyond. By 1825, the Erie Canal, 363 miles long, opened up a connection from the Northeast to the Great Lakes generating $7,000,000.
Even though it had not been fully expanded yet, the cheapest, most economical method of transportation was the railroad. Speed, durability, and safety all contributed to the success of it. During this time period, manufacturing also boomed. New ideas and inventions increased and improved manufacturing but it was the new modes of transporting raw materials and finished products that spurred the revolution.
The first commercial railroads began operating in the 1830’s. After 1830, the railroad or, as most Americans at that time said, the “Rail Way,” emerged as the most dramatic of the new technologies of transportation.The small locomotives of the 1830s, pulling a handful of cars over uneven track, could travel at fifteen to twenty miles an hour. This was twice as fast, over long distances, as anything Americans had previously experienced. By 1840, 3000 miles of railroad track had been laid down, most of it concentrated in the Northeast.
After 1830, the railroad or, as most Americans at that time said, the “Rail Way,” emerged as the most dramatic of the new technologies of transportation.The small locomotives of the 1830s, pulling a handful of cars over uneven track, could travel at fifteen to twenty miles an hour. This was twice as fast, over long distances, as anything Americans had previously experienced. By 1840, 3000 miles of railroad track had been laid down, most of it concentrated in the Northeast.
References:
Kelly,M. (n.d.). Overview of the industrial revolution, teh United States and the industrial revloution in the 19th century. Retrieved from http://americanhistory.about.com/od/industrialrev/a/indrevovereview.htm
Transportation in the 19th century. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.studyworld.com/newsite/reportessay/History/American%5CTransportation_In_the_19th_Century-32139.htm