Big Business and The West

First Oil Well Drilled in Pennsylvania

1859

Edwin L. Drake 's discovery well made the successful use of a drilling rig that got oil efficiently. Link text

Transcontinental Railroad is Completed

1869

Link text

Rockefeller Founds Standard Oil

1870

John D. Rockefeller founds Standard Oil, an American oil producing company. Link text

Bell Patents Telephone

1876

This was the year that Alexander Graham Bel receives a patent for the telephone. Link text

First Telephone On White House

1877

President Rutherford B. Hayes has the White House's first telephone installed in the mansion s telegraph room. Link text

Edison perfects incandescent light bulb

1879

This was the date that Thomas Edison perfects the lightbulb. Link text

Railroads set up standard time zones

1883

This was the date that railroads started using standard time zones that were created to keep track of time. Link text

First electric trolley line, Richmond, VA

1888

This was the date that the Richmond Union Passenger Railway, the first electric trolley line, began regular operation.

Sherman Antitrust Act is passed

1890

This was the date that the law for preventing the creation of trusts and monopolies was passed by Congress.

Carnegie Steel Company Formed

1892

Carnegie Steel Company was a steel producing company primarily created by Andrew Carnegie. Link text

J.P. Morgan forms U.S. Steel

1901

This was the date that J.P. Morgan formed U.S. Steel, which was a major steel producer.