The First Industrial Revolutions

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The Industrial Revolutions The first industrial revolution lasted from approximately 1760 until 1830, while the second industrial revolution would occur from roughly 1830 until the early 1900’s. The first industrial revolution would permanently change human society forever. Power, transportation and production were key aspects that contributed the first revolution. The second revolution will see a increase in business size and business organization. It was prior to the first industrial revolution that traditional manufacturing was operating on a small skilled and custom scale. Manufacturing during this time entailed direct ownership without supply chain integration or much marketing. That would all change with each subsequent revolution as …show more content…

Prior to the railroad fundamental problems of transport were speed, cost, and reliability. Trails and ships led to roads, turnpikes, canals, steamboats, and finally railroads. Railroads would eventually counteract many of the fundamental problems of earlier transportation methods. Railroads increased market size through speed and reliability. Costs to transport goods fell drastically because of direct routes and lower unit costs as railroads could handle heavy loads of goods. By the 1860’s the railroad was a billion dollar industry. To lay track the railroad needed massive amounts of steel. The need for steel required technology in metallurgy that would ultimately push the second industrial revolution. Railroads created a demand for accounting and time management like never before in …show more content…

John D. Rockefeller established a trust to rid the competition. This strategy allowed big oil to continue growing by absorbing any competition. Through such economies of scale Rockefeller was able to lower costs so much any remaining competition would be unable to pay the costs of staying in business. The public becomes concerned because competition is needed to keep prices low in the long run and they encourage the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act to break up the oil cartel. Standard oil had been engaging in price discrimination by giving the railroad special prices in exchange for preferential treatment using the railroads to ship their oil. They shipped so much oil via railroad that if the railroad lost their business they would lose lots of

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