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Richard Arkwright
Richard Arkwright was an English inventor and entrepreneur. He is best known for inventing the water frame and the spinning frame. Both of these inventions made the production of cotton much easier and much more efficient. -
James Watt
James Watt was a scottish inventor. He is best known for improving the design of the steam engine. This new steam engine massively kickstarted the progress of the industrial revolution. -
Thomas Malthus
Thomas Malthus was an English economist and demographer. He is best known for his theory of population growth. He believed that the growing population would outlast their food supplies therefore reproduction must be limited. -
Cotton Gin
The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney, hastened the process of cotton processing by easily separating the seeds from the fibers. Whitney created the cotton gin with the intent of hastening the abolition of slavery in the southern U.S. Unfortunately his plan backfired miserably and only worsened slavery as cotton became more profitable. -
Henry Bessemer
Henry Bessemer was an English inventor. His processing of processing steel revolutionized the steel industry. The ability to inexpensively manufacture steel was essential for building modern buildings. -
Karl Marx
Karl Marx was a German philosopher and author. He is best known for creating the idea of communism. His most famous work is the Communist Manifesto. -
Socialism
Socialism is a philosophy in which the means of production, distribution, and exchange are controlled by everyone as a whole. One of the very first socialists was a mill owner named Robert Owen. Socialism continues to be a controversial subject within politics today. -
Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish inventor and philanthropist. He is best known for establishing the Nobel prize, an award given to those who have contributed the most to benefit mankind. Before this however, he invented the blasting cap along with the explosive, dynamite. -
Communism
Communism is a political theory created by philosopher Karl Marx. It stems from the idea of a classless society in which the means of production are controlled by everyone. It has been implemented in many countries throughout the years. -
Social Gospel
Social Gospel was a social movement that originated in Ohio in the latter half of the 19th century. It revolved around applying Christian ethics to social problems to create change for the better. Followers of Social Gospel advocated for many progressive changes such as the abolition of child labor and factory regulations. -
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism is an ideology based on Darwin's laws of natural selection. It was popularized by Herbert Spencer. It was used mainly to justify conservative policies as well as racism and imperialism. -
Guglielmo Marconi
Guglielmo Marconi was an Italian inventor. He is known for his creation of the wireless telegraph. By using his invention he proved that radio waves could be sent, which revolutionized communication. -
Automobile
The automobile is a road vehicle with 4 wheels and an internal combustion engine. It's invention is typically accredited to Karl Benz. It's creation rocketed street transportation into modernity. -
Airplane
The airplane is an aircraft with 2 fixed wings that is propelled forward via a propeller or jet engine. It's invention is attributed to Orville and Wilbur Wright. It has had a great impact on long distance travel as well as warfare. -
Assembly Line
The assembly line was a way of manufacturing goods. Parts would be added to whatever was being built as it moved along a conveyer. This allowed complex items to be created by unskilled laborers quickly. It was originally created by Ransom Olds but was perfected by Henry Ford.