Madeleine Wilczewski

History 153

Professor McDonald

April 18, 2017

Technologys Impact on American History

Technology has shaped American success thought the years. From the early forms of

technology such as the steam engine and telephone to the current smartphones and laptops. With

the increase in technological advances the pride in America also increased. People such as

Alexander Graham Bell and Henry Ford became American heroes. The United States also had

rapid success with the new forms of technology invented.

Starting in 1870 Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. This made living much easier.

Households had more effective lighting. Businesses also were improved. Now companies could

work twenty-four hours a day without stop and could light up their businesses at night to prevent

theft (Lighting A Revolution). Moving into the 1900s we see the invention of steam engines and

the introduction to the american railroads. Many inventions came with the creation of the

railroads. We see inventors like George Westinghouse, who invented the air brake, solving

problems and helping improve travel safety. Railroads helped expand the United States. Module

two explains how, Steaming locomotives would hasten western settlement, spread democratic

values, and increase the size of the United States (Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico etc., were

not yet states, only territories). Western settlement was a paramount national interest. As such,

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the federal government awarded the contract to link the coasts by rail to two companies, the

Union Pacific and the Central Pacific (Contemporary America p.2).

Following World War One Henry Ford invented one of the most changing pieces of

technology for America. He invented the Model T in October of 1908. This was a car that was

reliable and affordable for most Americans (history.com). Not only did the invention of the

automobile improve transportation but it also helped create jobs. Module six explains how Henry

Ford created jobs; "Ford used the idea of the assembly line for automobile manufacturing. He

paid his workers an unprecedented $5 a day when most laborers were bringing home two, hoping

that it would increase their productivity (Contemporary America p.2). The automobile also

gave the teenage generation a sense of independence. Another technological invention that

changed America around the same time as the automobile was the radio. Frank Conrad invented

the radio in his garage in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His station encouraged competition between

other stations. In 1922 there were about 500 stations on air. In 1927, congress passed created the

Federal Radio Commission to restore order in the radio (Contemporary America p.3). The radio

stations also advertised and promoted different businesses for a profit.

Coming out of World War Two America was suburbanized. With the growing leisure time

one technological advance changed American society. In 1927, Philo Farnsworth invented the

television in San Fransisco, California. Commercial television began in 1947 (Stephens).Viewers

were able to choose between three main networks; CBS, ABC and NBC which offered . By 1964

color television was created. Commercials helped businesses grow and sell their products

through the TV. In 1957 a whole new form of technology was created and would change the

world forever. Russia launched the Sputnik in 1957. This was the worlds first orbital satellite.

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A competition grew with the invention of this new space technology. The world all took part in a

Space Race. In 1969, the United States, sent Neil Armstrong into space and he became the first

man to walk on the moon (Contemporary America). In 1977 a small company called Apple,

founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, released the personal computer.

This made life much easier for business and people across the country. The personal computer

allowed management of personal finances, quick word processing, and desktop publishing from

the home. Businesses could manage payroll, mailing lists, and inventories from one small

machine (Contemporary America p. 6). In 1990 the World Wide Web developed. People

could go on and access airlines, hotels, businesses. People could also buy houses and cars online.

People could also find information online. In module 13 we read about the new ways of

communication through the internet, Electronic mail, or email, was a convenient way to send a

message to associates or friends. Messages could be sent and received at the convenience of the

individual. A letter that took several days to arrive could be read in minutes. Internet service

providers like America Online and CompuServe set up electronic chat rooms. These were open

areas of cyberspace where interested parties could join in a conversation with perfect

strangers (Contemporary America p. 13).

Overall technology has defiantly improved the society we live in today. With the busy

world we live in today, technology makes things more time efficient. Technology such as

television and interest makes the world more connected. Information and breaking news can

reach across the world in just a few seconds. Without technology we would have a less

productive and time efficient society.

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 Bibliography

"Contemporary America - US History." HIST 153. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017. <https://

bbaddins.schoolcraft.edu/addins/hist153/etext/m2_intro.html>.

History.com Staff. "Henry Ford." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 19 Apr.

2017. <http://www.history.com/topics/henry-ford>.

Lighting A Revolution: 19th Century Consequences. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017. <http://

americanhistory.si.edu/lighting/19thcent/consq19.htm>.

"Light Bulb." Scientific-Inventions 1800's - 1900's. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017. <http://

scientific-inventions.weebly.com/light-bulb.html>.

Stephens, Mitchell. "History of Television." History of Television - Mitchell Stephens. N.p., n.d.

Web. 21 Apr. 2017. <https://www.nyu.edu/classes/stephens/History%20of%20Television

%20page.htm>.

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