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James Watt
James Watt was an inventor that created the most efficient steam engine. He also created the first machine-building factory in the world, all run on his steam engines. His steam engine was used in boats and trains that could travel faster and spread ideas, and in factories that significantly increased the production of goods. -
Interchangeable Parts
Interchangeable parts were created in order to efficiently repair machines. Manufacturers could now replace a part rather than replace an entire machine. This costs less to repair a machine and reduces waste, as only one part is being thrown out compared to an entire machine. -
Mutual-Aid Societies
Mutual-Aid Societies were organizations made to help members in need. They helped the poor and sick to survive in the unsanitary and harsh conditions of the time. These groups lowered mortality, sickness, and hunger rates, and also fostered a sense of community with the people of the city. -
Communism
Communism was an ideology based on the people owning all property and production. Decisions were made based on the common interest of the people. Workers in hazardous conditions favored this lack of social classes because they could be treated equally. -
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin studied the theory of evolution and published the idea that only the fittest are able to survive and reproduce in his book, "On the Origin of Species." During the Industrial Revolution, his findings were applied to business, using the idea to support a laissez-faire capitalist system. Darwin's work also applied to the businesses themselves - larger companies that kept growing were the "fittest," and limited any chance of the survival of smaller, new businesses. -
Socialism
Socialism was an ideology that politics and economics should be regulated by the community as a whole. This caused the government to pass laws regulating businesses to place limits on production. Socialism was favored by workers to be treated fairly and have better conditions. -
Germ Theory
Germ Theory was developed by Louis Pasteur, who discovered sickness is caused by microbes. The theory that bacteria was causing these terrible diseases people were suffering was enough to make serious reform in the city. It caused the streets and water to become cleaner and overall living conditions to improve, significantly lowering mortality rates. -
Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was an inventor known for creating dynamite. This revolutionized military weaponry and also provided a more efficient way to destroy canals and tunnels and to build railways and roads. He also created Nobel Prizes to award other genius inventors that made positive impacts, using his fortune to reward others in the future, -
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism was a theory that supported Darwin's work on natural selection. Only the "fittest" would survive, and men that became powerful were justifiably the fittest and therefore were better. This theory led to the exploitation of power and inequality, as powerful people and their businesses only grew, while the weak, small businesses and workers, were never standing a chance. -
Social Gospel
Social Gospel was a movement created to provide a solution to the poor conditions the industry brought. Preachers used religious teachings and helped workers to call for the end of child labor and unfair conditions. This not only caused an increase in Christianity, but it also caused serious reform in the industry for better conditions for workers. -
Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison was an inventor that created the electric lightbulb. Homes had a more effective way to light rather than oil lamps or candles. The largest impact of the lightbulb was the ability for factories to work at night, doubling production and making working conditions safer. -
Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi was an inventor credited with making the first wireless telegraph. His invention was the first radio able to transmit over long distances through radio waves. This benefitted the entire world, from people being able to hear live broadcasts of events to sinking ships, like the Titanic, being able to signal for rescue. -
Airplane
The airplane was created by the Wright Brothers. The invention was not as popular as the automobile, and rose to fame much later. The airplane allowed people to travel distances only available by ship in much less time. This allowed for the spread of ideas across continents. -
Automobile
The automobile was first created by Henry Ford. The automobile completely changed the way people traveled, allowing much larger distances to be reached than on horse or foot. People were now able to travel further in order to work or find services. The automobile's success itself even created jobs, as so many had to be made due to mass popularity. -
Assembly Line
The assembly line was created to make manufacturing products more efficient. People only had one job, then passed the product onto the next. This allowed for goods to be produced quicker and cheaper, which helped decrease prices to make products more affordable to all.
