Timeline: US Business History (Civil War - Present)

May 9, 1865

End of US Civil War

May 10, 1869

Completion of First Transcontinental Railroad

First railroad to span the United States is completed, making the transportation of goods across the country much easier.

Mar 7, 1876

First Telephone Patent

Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the first patent for the telephone

Feb 21, 1886

Coca Cola Invented

Formula for the soft drink created by Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton

Mar 2, 1901

United States Steel Corporation Founded

JP Morgan founds US Steel by combining Carnegie Steel, Federal Steel, and National Steel for $492 million ($13.99 billion today)

Oct 1, 1908

Ford Introduces Model T

Ford Motor Company produces the first affordable automobile for middle-class Americans

Nov 15, 1926

First Broadcast of NBC

The National Broadcasting Company is formed, with General Electric as part owner

Oct 24, 1929

Black Thursday

The US Stock Market crashes, signalling the beginning of The Great Depression

Jun 26, 1936

First Passenger Service Airplane Flight

American Airlines inaugurates its first passenger flight from Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL. paving the way for the modern American air travel industry, and replacing trains as the preferred method of long-distance transportation.

Dec 1, 1948

McDonald's Founded

Dick and Mac McDonald re-open their restaurant, originally a drive-in called McDonald's Bar-B-Q, as a self-service fast-food restaurant with a reduced menu featuring the 15 cent hamburger.

Aug 1, 1957

First Japanese car, a Toyota, sold in US

Toyota Motor Corporation takes notice of recession in the US and the market shift towards small imported economy cars. In an effort to capitilize on this oppurtunity, Toyata imports the Toyopet Crown, the first Japanese car to officially be sold in the United States.

Sep 1, 1958

Bank of America Launches First Credit Card

Bank of America creates the BankAmericard in Fresno, California, becoming the first successful recognizably modern credit card.

Jul 2, 1962

Walmart Founded

Sam Walton opens the first Walmart Discount City store in Rogers, AR.

Jan 1, 1968

The Cortez becomes Blue Ribbon Sports first best-selling shoe in US

Due to the success of the shoe, BRS would expand into other areas of sports apparel, eventually be renamed Nike, and transform the sportswear industry.