Technological Innovation in the Gilded Age

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and important figures related to technological innovations during the Gilded Age, highlighting their definitions and impacts on society.

Telegraph

A communication device that transmits messages over long distances using electrical signals.

Telephone

A device that converts sound into electrical signals for communication over distances.

Bessemer Process

An innovative method for producing steel by blowing air through molten iron to remove impurities.

Mass Production

A manufacturing process that produces large quantities of standardized products, significantly increasing efficiency.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy where a company controls multiple stages of production or distribution within the same industry.

Alexander Graham Bell

An inventor best known for inventing the telephone, which transformed communication technology.

Edison’s Light Bulb

An electric light source that extends productive hours by illuminating spaces after dark.

Transatlantic Cable

Underwater cables that enable telecommunication between North America and Europe.

Electric Elevator

A vertical transportation system powered by electric motors that allows movement between building levels.

Standard Oil

An oil producing and refining company founded by John D. Rockefeller, symbolizing the rise of industrial capitalism.

Electric Motors

Devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, revolutionizing factory production.

Internal Combustion Engine

An engine that converts fuel into mechanical energy, critical to the development of automobiles and machinery.

Automatic Looms

Mechanized weaving devices that automated the textile production process, increasing speed and efficiency.

Labor Movement

The collective organization of workers advocating for rights and better working conditions.

Cyrus Field

An entrepreneur known for establishing the first transatlantic telegraph cable.

Department Store

Large retail establishments that offer a wide variety of goods, revolutionizing shopping with convenience and selection.