Electricity To Power Its Machines example essay topic

America's Innovations America's InnovationsAmerica's Innovations Essay, Research Paper America's Innovations Ever since the United States became an independent nation, technology and modernization has had a tremendous affect on the American people. It seems like everyday something new is created that totally changes the way people carry out their daily chore as well as change their lives all together. From the advancement of the work place to making the home more high tech, the United States changes before the very eyes of its citizens. Three of the new innovations that has had the most prolific effect on the American culture are the introduction of electricity, the appearance of the radio and movies, and lastly the production of the automobile. Each of these products have built upon each other and have made life in America more enjoyable and most importantly, efficient.

From these three historical innovations, America changes with each waking day. Up until the early twentieth century, the American factory industry as well as allot her leading production fields relied heavily on the power of man to run its components. The machines which created each product for the company were controlled by man with only minimal mechanical assistance from steam or water power. Working like this created havok for the workers. The cumbersome equipement was hard to manipulate which made the operators sore and they often injured themselves because of the operating process. As conditions such as these grew worse, American inventors sought away to help the problem.

The much awaited answer was none other than nature's gift of electricity. This new idea sparked a new industrial revolution throughout the country. While it took a few years for the placement of electrical lines in the nation's factories, "by 1929 over 80 percent'1 of factories relied on electricity to power its machines. Suddenly, production rose as twice as many goods were produced with the same size work force as the pre-electricity days. Even new products were invented as a result to these of electricity. Machines that made the home life easier such as washing machines, irons, and sewing machines filled the houses of American families.

Now that the common housewife could finish her chore faster, she was allowed to find spare jobs outside to house to help supplement her family's income. Therefore, electricity not only helped make work better and faster, it gave helped provide social equality for women as they hit the job force. Electricity also expanded its aid to the rural members of society. In the city of Austin, Texas in the 1930's, no electricity existed. Families had to use outhouses, outdoor water pumps and other inconveinent methods of survival in order t olive. However, the United States government came through by establishing the Rural Electrification Administration in 19352.

The REA made it possible for rural citizens to receive loans so that they could install electrical outputs throughout their land so thatthe y too could reap the benefits of electrical power to live a better life. All in all, the introduction of electricity allowed the working man to safely perform his job while at the same time, produce more products that made the factory and farm owners happy while making the home life better as well. Another technological innovation that swept the country was the introduction ofthe radio. While this form of communication and entertainment was a direct result of thefomation of electrical power, it served as a vital asset to the nation. "In 1929, slightly more than 10 million households owned radios; by 1939, fully 27.5 million households had radio sets. ' 3 The most important part of radio popularity was the entertainment it provided.

Families would come together after long work days to enjoy a radio program that relaxed and entertained all. "The Lone Ranger' was a big hit among families and Orson Wells proved how powerful the radio was as his "War of the Worlds' terrified millions of viewers as they believed his fiction filled tale was true. 4 Communication was also a vital part of the radio. Now that many American homes contained one, the government and other entities could give the public information that was crucial to life.

The daily weather report and news cast could now be simulcasted live without having to wait on the mail and word of mouth to reach the people. The news could come just as it happened straight from the reporters mouth. President Franklin Roosevelt also took advantage of the radio. During his terms in office, FDR issued a series of commentaries that came to be known as "fire side chats'. He told the nation about economic crisiessuch as the Bank Holiday so that the American people could fully understand what was going on in their country. Without this type of advanced communication, news would take weeks to reach certain destinations leaving many people wondering what to do if allvaluble information was not available.

The great demand for radios not only created surplus dollars for the producers of radios, but it also gave the United States the peace of mind that each citizen was linked together wether they were neighbors or livings many states apart. 331.