-
First oil well is drilled, Pennsylvania
George Bissell and Edwin L. Drake were the first people who successfully used a drilling rig on a well especially used to produce oil, at Oil Creek near Titusville, Pennsylvania. -
Transcontinental railroad is completed
Promontory, Utah, was where the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States ended. The transcontinental railroad had been a dream for people living in the American West. -
Rockefeller founds Standard Oil
John D. Rockefeller joined the oil industry in the 1860s and in 1870, he founded Standard Oil with other business partners -
Carnegie Steel Company is formed
Carnegie Steel Company was a steel producing company created by Andrew Carnegie and other close associates, to manage businesses at steel mills in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area in the late 19th century. -
Bell patents telephone
American inventor Alexander Graham Bell tested his telephone in 1876, calling his assistant to say "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you." On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone. -
First telephone on White House
The White House, in Washington, DC, had its first telephone installed by Alexander Graham Bell, while President Rutherford B. Hayes was in term. -
Edison perfects incandescent light bulb
Thomas Edison perfects the first incandescent light bulb. Using a filament of carbonized cotton thread, his first attempt results in a bulb that lasts about 13.5 hours before burning out. He later extends the life of the bulb to 40 hours. -
Railroads set up standard time zones
Operators of the new railroad lines needed a new time plan that would offer a uniform train schedule for departures and arrivals. Four standard time zones for the continental United States were introduced. -
First electric trolley line, Richmond, VA
Set the pattern for most subsequent electric trolley systems around the world. It is an milestone in engineering. The Richmond system was not the first attempt to operate an electric trolley. -
Sherman Antitrust Act is passed
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the first Federal act that outlawed monopolistic business practices. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first measure passed by the U.S. Congress to prohibit trusts. -
J.P. Morgan forms U.S. Steel
United States Steel Corporation, leading U.S. producer of steel and related products. At the beginning of the 20th century, multiple businessmen were involved in the formation of United States Steel Corporation, including Andrew Carnegie, Elbert H. Gary, Charles M. Schwab, and J.P. Morgan.
