What came out of Rapid Urbanization?
As we have seen in both New York City and Chicago, rapid urbanization is not a perfect process. Many Americans and immigrants suffered heavily from rapid urbanizations downfalls, including the spread of disease, abismal living conditions, an increase in crime, the list goes on. But what came out of those trials and tribulations, the very technological advancements that we take advantage of today, seem to be worth the price those before us unfortunately had to pay.
Between 1870 and 1910, the United States witnessed a rapid increase of technological advancements never seen before. These new inventions altered how indivduals communicated and traveled the world over. From railroads, to factories, to coal mining and steel production, some of the most impactful innovations in technology were created during this period in America's history. In 1876, a man by the name of Alexander Graham Bell, an American inventor born in Scotland, invented the telephone and also co-founded the very well known phone service company AT&T.2 His invention revolutionized the way individuals of the Gilded Age communicated, and paved the way for the cellular devices of the 21st century.
In 1877, the phonograph was invented by famous inventor Thomas Edison, which allowed for music and voices to be recorded, and also aided those with hearing difficulties.3 And just a year after the invention of the phonograph, Edison created an improvement to the lightbulb, which became incredibly essential for any activity taking place at night, and increased the safety with being a less dangerous light source.4 Then, in 1888, the Kodak camera was invented by George Eastman. The Kodak camera became the first portable camera that was available for use by the general public.5
On December 17th, 1903, The First Flight was officially taken. Wilbur and Orville Wright were the inventors and pilots of the first ever motor-operated airplane after a multitude of failed attempts.6 This exceedingly changed the landscape of travel as a whole, and the airplane would become an extremely essential piece to the technology of war and everday travel for all individuals.7 Following mankinds introduction to aerial transportation, Henry Ford invented the model to in 1908, who was the co-founder of the ever popular Ford Motor Company. Ford's Model T was the earliest invention of a car that was available to the public.8 Ford is also mistakenly credited for inventing the assembly line, when in fact R.E. Olds is the actual originator of the line. Olds perfected the assembly line system in Lansing, Michigan, turning out Oldsmobiles in 1901.
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era transformed the United States into a world leader in technological innovations through industrialization and rapid urbanization. During this period, new inventions were produced at a rate ten times faster compared to the previous 70 years. Railroads and factories along with a multitude of other industries skyrocketed in terms of production, paving the way for people to travel more efficiently, and communicate and connect with each other in new and improved ways. Without the rapid urbanization that occured during these important years in our countries history, we may be living in an entirely different world compared to where we are now.
Footnotes
[1] “Alexander Graham Bell Experimental Telephone.” National Museum of American History. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_689864.
[2] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[3] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[4] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[5] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[6] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[7] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[8] “Inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Gilded Age.” Students of History Teaching Resources. Accessed April 17, 2023. https://www.studentsofhistory.com/inventions-of-the-industrial-age.
[9] John T. Daniels. First Flight, December 17, 1903. December 17, 1903. https://jstor.org/stable/community.14643263.