The industrial revolution was an important part of the economic development of the United States. It was from this period that new inventions were experienced both technologically and in the field of business management. This paper will therefore identify the technological inventions that were experienced in America during this period, identify the business innovations and finally point out the benefits and demerits of the inventions.
The 19th Century industrial revolution was divided into two parts. The first part was experienced in Europe and the UK in the first half of the Century before the second part of the revolution swept the regions of the United States of America and Germany. During this period, these regions experienced a change in production where most goods’ production moved from home and hand production to machine productions in factories. During the first revolution, the United States of America witnessed a small improvement. At this point, the society witnessed the invention of machines for weaving and spinning that were operated by water which later transformed into using steam power. This was a very important invention that increased the quantity of production in the textile industry (Kelly, 4).
During the second revolution which took place during the second half of the 19th Century, three fundamental issues resulted into the acceleration of the revolution. Among the three issues were improvement of the transport system, the improvement in the harnessing of electricity and finally technological improvement that changed the process of production. In addition, the government came up with policies that were meant to protect the manufacturers in America. This was a very fundamental step in the improvement of the economy of the United States of America (Kelly, 12).
The inventions were important in the increasing of production. For example, the invention of the cotton qin by Eli Whitney increased the volume of raw cotton being sent to the North from the South. This also increased the production of cloth. The cotton qin was a machine that separated cotton fiber and the seeds at a faster rate as compared to hands. Spinning and weaving were also brought together in a single factory after the invention by Francis Lowell. This increased the production of cloth in New England. In addition, the invention of interchangeable machine parts allowed for a quicker assembly of machines. This was an invention by Eli Whitney (Kelly, 14).
Considering the size of the United States, there was need for communication. This formed the most essential part of development. As a result, Samuel Morse came up with the idea of a telegraph which became part and parcel of the communication network in the whole of the United States. The network ranged from Mississippi to the East Coast. Communication was further given an impetus by the invention of a steam boat by Robert Fulton. The idea was based on James Watt’s steam engine innovation. The whole of the late 19th Century witnessed more inventions that persisted until the early 20th Century. Among the inventions included the light bulb by Thomas Edison, the Automobile by Karl Benz and the invention of the telephone by Alexander Bell.
Massive production of wrought iron and steel was also witnessed during this period when Sir Henry Bessemer invented a furnace that increased its speed of production. The field of management experienced a new turn during this period after the invention of new intellectual paradigms. These included the invention of capitalism. This was the period referred to as the age of enlightenment. It was from here that scientific knowledge was practically applied in almost every aspect of human life including management. Business strategies practically witnessed a new turn when scientific facts and discoveries were applied in the process of managing people and identification of motivation factors of employees. This scientific approach resulted into more productivity and job satisfaction of the employees and also increased profits to companies through improved methods of production and also good workplace practices. Finally, the world witnessed improvements in the field of medicine. This was important because it helped to cure diseases that were causing deaths and reduced productivity. To be precise, the technological and strategy improvements witnessed in the 19th Century positively implicated on the increase or the quantity and speed of production, effective communication through information transfer and transportation, increased productivity of companies through scientific approach to management, quick and more reliable source of power through electricity invention and reduction of working hours. With these increases in efficiency came better living standards both in economic and health terms (Hanbidge, 5).
However, these inventions had with them negative implications which have contributed to diverse problems in the lives of humans. The technological inventions resulted into the formation weaponry that has been a great contribution in the number of deaths all over the globe. This includes guns used by criminals, by terrorists or those used during civil wars. The invention of automobiles and factories has contributed to environmental degradation and air, water, soil and noise pollutions. These pollutions have brought with them diseases that lead to deaths. In addition, these developments led to rural-urban migrations that have resulted into poverty and poor living conditions for the urban poor. It has also led to increased crime and several other social ills. Ideological changes brought in capitalism that has led to over exploitation of people causing increasing gaps between the rich and the poor and destruction of environment to attain person ambitions (Hanbidge, 8).
In conclusion, industrial revolution was very essential in the improvement of lives of Americans and the world as a whole. However, the phenomenon brought with it several negative impacts that have haunted the human existence for a long period. Considering the important aspects of industrial revolution inventions, it is normal to believe that humans cannot do without them. However, it is important that best ways of employing these inventions be invented so that the negative implications are checked adequately. Without this, the human existence will be haunted by these factors.
Works Cited
Hanbidge. “The Industrial Revolution.” SchoolHistory.CO.UK. 2003. Web.
Kelly, Martin. “Overview of the Industrial Revolution.” About.com. 2009.