Industrial Revolution Old vs. New
The Erie Canal was a man-made waterway, which help to transport products and people from one place to another. The canal was significant because no longer did American need a natural river to move important resources; men just made waterways.
Free enterprise and entrepreneurs were significant during the Industrial Revolution because it was profitable and people could progress without the government interfering. It helped the U.S. become a worldwide industrial power. The Erie Canal with a boat being pulled by Horses on the roads beside it. |
The discovery of the Spindletop geyser in 1901 drove huge growth in the oil industry. Source |
Steel was also manufactured and used to make them an economical power. They made good use of the Bessemer process, which allowed for new ways to use steel. In the process, they injected air into molten iron, removing impurities and carbon, making it stronger and therefore, more efficient. They used it for 90% of new buildings after that. It helped them expand upward instead of outward.
Henry Bessemer source |
Now in 2014, people are developing the so called "next industrial revolution". The company GE in Cinncinnati, the birth place of aviation, are one of many who believe so.
For decades, we have used "subtractive" manufacturing. Subtractive manufacturing is basically controlled material removal. It leads to lots of waste and is also time consuming. Recently, additive manufacturing has become more renown. 3D printing is an example of additive manufacturing. It allows you to built things from the ground up as a complete solid. The use
A newly made industrial 3D printer. Source |
The evolution of mobile phones over the years. |
With the use of new technology and breakthroughs, a new industrial revolution can appear. Now, unlike the first, this industrial revolution will have much more involvement by all ages and is more electricity or solar based. But some similarities are that it is pushed by need and demand and that we still use machines.