Innovations of the Industrial Revolution

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Innovations of the Industrial Revolution

As one of the greatest times of production and change in the quality of life for all classes and members of society, the Industrial Revolution marked a turning point for humankind. Together, the industrial revolutions in both America and Britain not only altered the lifestyles of many, but also offered solutions to many questions that had plagued society for numerous years. Changes that occurred in the fields of medicine and chemistry still play a role in our everyday lives. These advancements not only affected 19th century industry, but also began paving the way for modern technology.

With the expansion of technology available to the textile industry emerged a growing want among those who produced the textiles for new colors. When this problem arose, textile producers called upon the chemistry industry to help lessen the need for textile producers to rely upon natural methods of bleaching such as sun, rain, sour milk, and urine (Britannica). While these methods had been practiced for centuries, the industry saw a definite want for a new and more efficient method of bleaching. From this point forth, chemistry’s role in the Industrial Revolution not only led to innovations in bleaching, but also led to great changes in the practice of chemistry, as we know it. In the mid-1700’s, a chemist named John Roebuck solved the problems of the textile industry with his invention of a new method for mass producing a chemical by-product known as sulfuric acid in lead chambers (Encarta 97). This discovery paved the way for sulfuric acid’s use in bleaching, and eventually led to the production of chlorine bleach, a common household product today.

As the Industrial Revolution moved forward int...

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...elegraph.

1866: Cyrus Field lays the first successful transatlantic cable.

1876: Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone.

1879: Thomas Edison invents the indandescent light bulb.

1892: Rudolf Diesel patents the diesel engine.

1899: Guglielmo Marconi invents the wireless.

1903: The Wright Brothers make the first successful airplane flight.

WORKS CITED

- “Industrial Revolution.” Microsoft Encarta 1997 Encyclopedia CD-ROM.

Kitano, Kevin and Anthony Morejon. “The Industrial Revolution.”

The Industrial Revolution: A Trip to The Past.

http://members.aol.com/mhirotsu/essay.htm.

(No date given.)

- “The History of Technology: The Industrial Revolution (1750-1900): DEVELOPMENTOF

INUSTRIES: Chemicals.” Britannica Online. http://www.eb.com:180/cgi-bin/g?

DocF=macro/5006/17/44.html. Accessed 10 March 1998.

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