Compare And Contrast The Challenges Of Industrialization

Throughout the late 1800s, many people grew tremendously in wealth. Most people started businesses or expanded railroads which required a lot of money. This start the idea of robber barons or captains of industry; while there were some people who would collect the money for themselves there were many people who gave back and did some great things for America. Therefore, industrialists of the 1860s-1900s were more rightly called Captains of Industry than robber barons. John D. Rockefeller, James Fisk, and Henry Flanger are some great examples of Captains of Industry.

The United States experienced unparalleled growth during the period of time following the Civil War, known as the Gilded Age, with city expansion supported by new and growing industries, railroad expansion, technological inventions, GNP increases, skyscrapers being built, and more. While many view the industrialists of the Gilded Age as Captains of Industry for the way they grew America economically and lifestyles-wise, they were really Robber Barons because of the fraudulent, corrupt actions they took to hurt both their consumers and their laborers. While the Gilded Age industrialists were truly Robber Barons, the way in which they contributed to and improved America's overall lifestyle exhibited that they were also characteristic of Captains

Although Thomas Edison is most often accredited with the invention of the electric light bulb, he did not actually invent it. More precisely, he invented the “first commercially practical incandescent light”(Boundless). Edison and his team at Menlo Park, his laboratory located in New Jersey produced a light bulb with a carbon filament by October of 1879 that lasted over fourteen hours. After years of working, Edison unveiled his light bulb at Menlo Park on New Year’s Eve of 1879(Lighting a Revolution). However, Edison was not the only person working on an incandescent light bulb at the time.

A robber baron was a person who became rich through ruthless practices, whereas a captain of industry is a person who led with respect throughout their career. JD Rockefeller was a captain of industry because his donations led to the fundings of vital research investigations. He was a businessman and philanthropist, most importantly, he was known for his invention of the United States Steel Oil Company. By introducing cheaper kerosine and gasoline, he attracted multitudes of people from the working class ready to obtain these more affordable prices. By doing so, Rockefeller’s profits soared, owning three quarters of the oil industry by the 1890’s.

Inventions such as the sewing machine, telephone, and the light bulb helped with everyday lives and social interactions. Such as the telephone, help others to communicate with each other much more quickly instead of sending mail which can take weeks or traveling long distances to say hello. Also, these inventions that were being created help create new factory jobs for thousands of people. For instances, the sewing machine. “I have a very good boarding place, have enough to eat… The girls are all kind and obliging… I think that the factory is the best place for me and if any girl wants employment, I advise them to come to Lowell.”

The similarities between modern day America and the Gilded Age are astounding. To understand why this is occurring

Throughout history, there have been individuals that have greatly altered the course of the United States, such as Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Era, Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War with the emancipation of slaves, or maybe even Henry Ford and his cars during the Industrial Revolution. Even though there are influential politicians and businessmen that exist in the United States, many influential American scientists exist as well, such as Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell. Despite there being many influential and important scientists throughout the United States’ history, Thomas Edison is the most influential and important scientist thanks to his inventions that have revolutionized many modern industries: music, movies, and most importantly, electricity. Thomas Alva Edison is often considered one of the best inventors of all time and has had a massive impact on modern life despite his work being much over one hundred years old.

Entrepreneurs flourished in the Gilded Age. One invention followed another: Eastman Kodak put photographic technology into the hands of millions for the first time, Nikola Tesla invented the motor, and Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. At the front of it all was Thomas Edison who made a promise to invent a minor thing every ten days and a significant thing every six months. Edison Invented electric power with direct current, a motion picture projector that changed the way people watched videos, and the light bulb- Edison’s first successful invention. Another advantageous inventor during the Gilded Age was Herman Hollerith who developed an electromagnetic tabulator that could read and analyze punch cards.

Thomas Edison, celebrated American inventor, had humble beginnings, but quickly rose to fame with his brilliant inventions that changed how America interacted with technology. Thomas Alva Edison was born February 11, 1847 in Milan, Ohio, the seventh and last child of Samuel and Nancy Edison. Growing up, Edison had a burning curiosity for anything and everything; however, while he was attending public school, his teacher thought Edison had no capacity for learning and always often ridiculed him for asking questions. Nancy Edison, being a former school teacher, decided to homeschool Thomas after a mere 12 weeks in a public education system in order to fulfil his insatiable thirst for knowledge. It was this fiery spirit of inquiry that allowed

The Gilded Age alludes to a period in American History where there was gigantic financial development, innovative advances, and improvements in popular culture. Indeed, even such a significant number of Americans felt that these advancements were misrepresented and that underneath this change and riches laid the brutal substances of urban areas, political defilement, and the abuse of workers. Be that as it may, there were endeavors to better those that blocked the glittery part of America. There was a gigantic development inside the urban populace. This was because of the ascent of movement and in addition Americans expecting a superior life in urban regions due to every one of the employments accessible.

“One of the most famous and prolific inventors of all time, Thomas Alva Edison exerted a tremendous influence on modern life, contributing inventions such as the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera, as well as improving the telegraph and telephone” (Library of Congress) Edison was one of the best inventors of all time, With so many amazing inventions still contributing to modern life today. This shows a side of people glorifying Thomas Edison for his amazing achievements but completely overlooking all the bad things he did while trying to make a name for himself. “Edison’s detractors insist that his greatest invention was his own fame, cultivated at the expense of collaborators and competitors alike. ”(The NewYorker)

Also, the robber barons also opened up many job positions for people and left usable resources for us like railroads, telecommunication service, libraries and etc. They changed the way we live

Have you ever wondered where the light bulb came from, or why you are able to have electricity everywhere in your house, or who invented what lets you watch your favorite movies and TV shows? Well, all this and much more was made possible by Thomas Alva Edison. Thomas Edison was a creative inventor that pushed the science world forward 100 years and had a major positive impact on his decade, the world, and even the rest of history. Thomas Edison had a major positive impact on his society. A large portion of jobs and inventions can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

His inventions helped many things change in the world. During his life he made 1,093 inventions. Most of these inventions are still active today and changed the world forever. Thomas Edison was a man who had an impact on America more than anyone else. Some of his inventions are still used to this day.

Thomas Edison is an American inventor and businessman, who has been described as “America’s greatest inventor.” His tireless work efforts and dedication to science not only helped him to create inventions that have advanced technology , but also become an inspirational figure for Americans. His improvements and inventions on objects that were already invented helped the lives of over millions of Americans. He helped to build America’s economy during some of its more vulnerable years as a new nation. Thomas Edison’s inventions have helped to advance our society though his dedications and knowledge in mechanical, electrical, and chemical sciences.