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U.S. History Technology
By Rae Park -
Steamboat
John Fitch invented it. Before, Americans relied on shipbuilding to build wooden ships for overseas transportation. Since the introduction of steam engines, the steamboat was created, and it offered faster transportation on seas, thus it encouraged more international trade with Europe. -
Cotton Gin
This invention was created by Eli Whitney during the Industrial Revolution. Cotton was in high demand, since people desired textile products from Europe. Production of cotton without the seeds needed to be increased, so the cotton gin solved the need to do so. This effected slavery, since more of them are needed to increase cotton exportation. The cotton gin eliminated the need to manually seperate the seeds from the cotton, making it the first step of using machinery for agriculture. -
Interchangeable Parts
Along with the cotton gin, Eli Whitney also invented interchangeable parts. The original purpose was to reproduce rifles identically. The idea to create products that are easily produced and replaced enhanced the U.S. economy, and industries grew in America. Assembly lines helped increase production of goods, and the method to make identical goods, prevents any failure products. Interchangeable parts continue to influence U.S. industries even after the Industrial Revolution. -
Steam Locomotive
Steam engines introduced a better method of transportation, the steam train. With better access to faster travel, railroads and railroad industries were created. The locomotive connected cities together, and it heavily increased trading within the U.S. After the Transcontinental Railroad was created, transportation across the U.S. accessible, thus furthering migration for job opportunities to distant places. -
Mechanical Reaper
Like Eli Whitney's cotton gin. Cyrus McCormick's mechanical reaper revolutionized U.S. agriculture. The machine helped increase crop yield and reduced manual labor. More slaves were demanded for more production, and the invention helped create a surplus of food in the United States. -
Steel Plow
John Deere enhanced farming equipment from a disposable wooden plow to steel plow. It did help make agricultural labor easier, and it impacted the creation of more stable farming equipment used in modern day America. -
Telegraph
Before Samuel Morse's telegraph, Americans relied on the printing press to bring communications to faraway locations. The telegraph became popular as it brought instant messages to the recipient. The concept of instant messaging further impacted the future inventions which would help improve commmunications and also help be viable for communicating trade with foreign nations. -
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. After te telegraph, the telephone was created as an improved way of instant communications. It was used for marketing purposes and as a source of entertainment for the rich, since the low classes cannot afford one. The telephone furthered the inspiration to create a better and more effective way of instant communication, such as electronic cellular devices used in present day. -
Electric Light
Thomas Edison's creation of electrical light heavily impacted U.S. society. It led to the use of electric light bulbs and lamps, which are seen present day. It illuminated environments during the night, and encouraged lighting in the streets and creation of household appliances that brings light due to electricity. Electric companies were made, and Edison's creation led to many possibilities of using electricity for practical uses. -
Automobile (Cars)
Henry Ford created the Model T automobile, which would later lead to more creations of cars powered by gasoline. Although automobiles were made before the Model T, only the rich could afford those. Now, the Model T is bought by more Americans, and it was popular during the culture change in Roaring Twenties. -
Television
Television was introduced to the U.S. and served many purposes. It was used as a source of entertainment, but also had political uses. For example, Nixon took advantage of the television, and used the media for his campaign. Television evolved throughout the years, and was used to continue bringing entertainment and news around the world. -
tanks
The U.S. first used the tank in World War 1, and it caused many casualties in the battles against Germany in Europe. The tank was able to be made due to the Homefront, where American minorities had industrial jobs to support those at war. -
Atomic Bomb
Due to Pearl Harbor, the U.S. needed to retaliate against Japan during World War 2. The Manhattan Project led the the creation of the atomic bomb, a nuclear weapon that caused catastrophic damage in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The damage led to fear of the bomb after the war. It led to tensions during the Cold War and fear against countries who desire nuclear weapons. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was made to stop testing those dangerous weapons. -
Space Shuttle
During the Cold War, the Soviets launched a satellite, Sputnik 1, into space, and the U.S. could not stand having the Soviets being superior to them, so the space race began. The United States created a space shuttle to have transportation to space for exploration on the moon. NASA continues in present day, and space exploration continues. -
Internet
During Clinton's term, the Internet was available in personal computers, and it was also expanded towards other modern-day technology. The Internet connected America across the world for communication and online transactions for international trade. Many companies, such as Apple, was made to expand and take use of the many potentials the Internet can offer. This technological innovation changed the world, and made U.S. highly reliant on technology.
