3.

2 New Technologies
The USA went through an economic shift transition period in the late 19th and early 20th
century, where the US became the economic powerhouse worldwide, when becoming the
economic superpower, the US also became the contribution leader in technological
advancements; with many American inventions becoming routine day to day items in
households but also very important in production systems of factories.

Let’s have a look at some innovative American inventions in the past 300 years:

- (1865) Web Offset Printing

In 1846, the first rotary press was patented by Richard Hoe in New York. In 1865, William
Bullock took Hoe's press and combined it. William Bullock introduced a printing press that
could feed paper on a continuous roll and print both sides of the paper at once. Used first by
the Philadelphia Ledger, the machine would become an American standard. It also killed its
maker, who died when he accidentally fell into one of his presses.
- (18th /19th century) Electricity
Innovations like Benjamin Franklin's discovery and proving electricity’s existence, is one of
the most significant scientific discoveries of its century as electricity paved the way for many
new Technlogies, leading to the development of electrically powered items by inventors like
Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla who created the light bulb and the tesla coil.

- Honourable American Inventions

• The telegraph (19th century) by Samuel Morse

• The Wright Brothers' Flight (1903): Orville and Wilbur Wright
• Internet and Information Technology (20th-21st centuries).
• Biotechnology (late 20th century) by American scientists
• Personal Computing (20th century): Innovations by companies like Apple and Microsoft
• Renewable Energy (21st century): American Scientists
• The iPhone (2007) by Apple Inc.

3.3 Factories
The US’s standards of production used to be a world-wide reference during the 20th century
and earlier times. Let us have a look at some factories which have been open since that
period:

- Jim Beam Distillery

Jim Beam Distillery was a bourbon whiskey company founded by Jacob Beam in 1780,
Kentucky. In 1740, the Boehm family immigrated to multiple different places searching for
better opportunities. 48 years later, they changed their name to Beam and moved to
Kentucky where they started their business as a distillery.

Jeremiah Beam introduced Jim Beam’s Bourbon to the world, allowing it to later become the
best-selling bourbon worldwide. They bourbon industry has played a vital role in the
development of Kentucky from ever since, leading to its demographic increase.

Bourbon would later have a national impact as it would help get the country out of debt
following the Revolutionary War and was an integral part of the successes in World War I
and II.

- Ford Motor Company

Ford motors were created in 1863 by Irish immigrants on a farm in Wayne County, Michigan,
the same year as the Emancipation Proclamation was unveiled. Henry Ford left for a while
and worked some odd jobs to gain experience and he then returned to the family farm for a
brief time, and in 1891, now married, he went back to Detroit where he was hired at Edison
Illuminating Company, eventually achieving the status of chief engineer. He implemented
mass production methods that were considered revolutionary to American businesses. Five
years later, he built his first gas powered vehicle, the Quadricycle (Henry Ford and the Model
T 2014).
Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line in 1913, pioneering "Fordism," a system of
mass production that transformed the auto industry and the American economy. This
approach emphasized efficiency and affordability, promoting the rise of the middle class.
However, by the 20th century's close, Fordism's rigidity was challenged, leading to more
flexible production methods.

4.3 Immigration – Analysis

-Immigration analysis in the USA 1850-1914

The United States population experience a huge growth in population.

Even though the accumulated impact on population was positive, the accumulated impact on
real wages crashed.

Skilled native workers benefited from complementary labour provided by unskilled

immigrants, potentially increasing wages from certain skilled jobs. On the other hand, in
sectors where immigrants compete with native workers have been driven down, as it can be
reflected on the graph that the GDP per Capita heavily decreased.

The main destinations of migration waves during the XIX were:

New York City, it has the largest port of entry and delegation of Ellis Island, which opened in
1892 as the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station; Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago
were significant destinations for immigrants due to they were attracted to work in the growing
industries, especially the automobile sector, steel mills and factories; California, especially
after the Gold Rush of 1849, was a very looked forward destination. And lastly, The Great
Plains (Nebraska, Kansas and the Dakotas) as they offered opportunities for agriculture
settlement.

The impacts were rapid population growth urbanization as many immigrants settled in cities,
large cities doubled or even tripled in size. Cultural diversity, the US became more ethical
and culturally diverse.
It is worth highlighting the westward expansion, that was encouraged as it was promised as
the land of opportunity.

4.4 Immigration – Entrepreneurs

Due to very high migration to the US they received a lot of new opportunities due to the
exposure to these new immigrants who also brought ideas and were brave and willing to
start businesses, let’s have a look at an example:

- Levi Strauss

Levi Strauss was an entrepreneur in the US but he was also an immigrant who moved to the
US in the late 19th century. Levi Strauss was born in Bavaria, in 1829, and he emigrated to
the United States in 1847.
He arrived in New York and then made his way down to San Francisco, California, where he
embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey. Here are some key points about Levi
Strauss:

- When Levi Strauss arrived in San Francisco, he initially worked in his family's wholesale dry
goods business. He sold clothing, fabrics, and other goods to local stores and miners during
the Gold Rush.

- In the 1850s, Strauss began producing sturdy work pants made from a durable fabric called
denim. These pants were reinforced with copper rivets at stress points, making them
incredibly durable. These pants would later become known as "blue jeans." Working on this
he met Jacob Davies who then became his partner and a huge contributor to the invention
which they then patented together.

- Levi Strauss & Co. was officially founded in 1853. The company grew rapidly, and its blue
jeans gained a reputation for quality and durability. Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss's blue jeans became an iconic part of American culture. Over time, they
transitioned from workwear to everyday fashion, worn by people of all ages and
backgrounds. The Levi's brand is now recognized globally and a stamp in American Fashion.
Levi Strauss was also known for his philanthropic efforts. He made charitable donations to
various causes and institutions, reflecting his commitment to giving back to the community
but his legacy is most known for Levi Strauss & Co.

5.2 Population Analysis

 Years 1914-1945

Within the 1914-1945 period lie the following events:

• World War I → 1914-1919

• Interwar Period → 1919-1939
• The roaring 20s
• The Great Depression → 1929
• World War II → 1939-1945

World War I → 1914-1919

The US did not intervene the war until 1917 where they sided with the winning party and
therefore were proclaimed as the heroes.

This effective strategy played in favour of the country’s economic and demographic
development as there were not many casualties due to the advantageous position the country
had when they entered the war.

This short period of conflict caused the US to be proclaimed as the hero of the war, leading to
a great period of economic prosperity.

Interwar Period → 1919-1939

The interwar period meant damaged economies, reconstruction of the country and lack of
working age people for the countries were the war occurred but that was not the case for the
US...

Interwar period →The roaring 20s

During this period, the US economic prosperity led to a growth in the population. It was during
this time that the classic “American dream family” picture was formed.
Interwar Period → The Great Depression → 1929-1939

Various factors such as overconfidence of the population, led to the biggest economic crisis in
the country. This lasted for about 10 years, causing a slight drop in the birth rates due to
poverty and economic uncertainty.

World War II → 1939-1945

The USA entered this war in 1941 after the Pearl Harbour attack. During this period, food
rationing and war bonds were implemented as measures to save resources for the army.
Soldiers going to war meant a decrease of the birthrate and a n increase in mortality due to
war casualties.

Baby Boom → Post war

The US won the war once again. This led to economic prosperity and therefore an increase of
the birthrate, causing the so called “Baby-Boom”

Despite taking part in all the conflicts and suffering a massive economic crisis, the population
growth rate shows a positive tendency, growing by 50%.

Unlike other countries, the US show a stable growth throughout the years. This is due to all
the wars being external and therefore causing no damages to the country’s infrastructure. This,
and winning the wars, made the recovery process for the US way easier.

Bibliography:
- https://world101.cfr.org/contemporary-history/world-war/how-did-united-states-become-
global-
power#:~:text=Its%20economy%20took%20off%20after,of%20manufactured%20goods%20
and%20steel.
- American Experience, PBS. (2019, May 10). Technology timeline (1752-1990). American
Experience | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/telephone-
technology-timeline/
- https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-popular-inventions-1991680
- Source: Dyrud, M. A. (2016). The case of Ford Motor company. Journal Of Engineering
Technology, 33(1), 10.
-American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story and the Making of the World's# 1 Bourbon
-
https://www.ushistory.org/us/25d.asp#:~:text=The%20first%20factory%20in%20the,to%20pr
oduce%20spindles%20of%20yarn.
- Downey, L. (2007). Levi Strauss and Co. Arcadia Publishing.
- Loyer, E. (2019). Lévi-Strauss: a biography. John Wiley & Sons.