How Did Inventions from the Industrial Revolution Impact Society?

The need for better transportation was essential for the United States. Miles of roads and new canals were built to connect the vast open areas of America. The steamboat was an important means of transportation in the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. However, the railroad quickly overshadowed the steamboat in the transportation revolution.

In 1830, the U. S. only had an estimated 100 miles of track. The railroads expanded rapidly after that. By 1860, 27,000 miles of track were built, and by 1900, 193,000 miles of track were completed. Importantly, these new tracks connected the eastern and western United States, made selling goods more affordable, and allowed a network of national supply distribution.

Railroad entrepreneurs competed ruthlessly with each other. For example, Jay Gould of the Union Pacific Railroad was often depicted as a greedy villain for his business practices. In order to keep his profits up, he drove many smaller railroad companies out of business, cut rates for large companies, offered rebates to powerful clients, and gave free passes to political leaders.

These unsavory business practices hurt small farmers and business owners who often paid excessive rates to make up for the rebates given to the wealthy. The federal government responded by enacting the Interstate Commerce Act in 1887. This legislation outlawed monopolies, rebates, and short-distance rates and established a committee to police the railroad industry.

The Steel Industry

Since the rapid growth of the railroad industry required large amounts of steel tracks, the steel industry also profited during the Industrial Revolution. Andrew Carnegie was involved in the expansion and streamlining of the American steel industry. A Scottish immigrant who moved to the U. S. in 1848, his first job was bobbin boy in a textile factory. He eventually became one of the wealthiest men of the 19th century.

By investing his earnings in the railroad industry, Carnegie made enough money to build his own steel mill. His mill operated on the principle of controlling every aspect of production to ensure maximum cost efficiency and output. By 1900, Carnegie Steel was the largest industrial corporation the world had ever seen.