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The First Labor Union for Individuals
During this year Uriah Stephens focused his attention on the individual workes and created the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor. The motto was "An injury to one is a concern to all." This group was open to all workers regardless of their race, gender, or skill level. Like the National Labor Union, the Knights supported eight hour work days and "equal pay for equal men." They saw strikes as a last resort so they insisted upon arbitration. -
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Industrialization
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The Granger Laws
In this year, Illinois authorized a commission to "establish maximum freight and passanger rates and prohibit discrimination" Many Grangers throughout the West and South East convinced Congress to pass similar laws which became known as Granger Laws. The railroad owners fought these laws though. The Congress eventually gave the states the right to regulate the railroads to farmers and consumers. The Grangers helped establish the governments right to regulate private industry to serve the public -
The First Telephone
On this date, Alexander Bell's greatest success was complete. During the previous year, he had realized that the concept could actually become reality. He had discovered that tones sent different electrical strength. He had finally created the first telephone. This day also marked the death of the multiple telegraph. His demonstration of being able to "talk with electricity" had far surpassed the capability of a dot-and-dash system. -
The First Lighbulb
Thomas Edison created this huge advancement in technology. The lighbulb was revolutionary in how we live, and is still used today. He tried many different metals for the filament. After using many different materials, including platimun, he tried the carbon filament once again. On this date the first successful test of the lighbulb with the carbonized filament was complete. It lasted for 40 hours. He continued to perfect this design and on November 4, 1879 he patented the design.
