Discuss how mass production developed and the role played by armories in establishing the American manufacturing system.
The concept of mass production formed during the onset of industrialization in the United States (US). The term itself emerged when Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Co., introduced the assembly line, which was a system he developed in manufacturing his automobiles. Many would assert that mass production and assembly line are two concepts intertwined together – the former being the general term for Ford’s innovation and the latter being the system that materialized the meaning of the former (Hounshell 1-2).
The Springfield Armory proved to be a pivotal facility in introducing innovations that developed mass production. John Anderson, a British researcher, conducted a series of research that analyzed said facility. His findings revealed that the armory is suited for catering to particular processes requiring special techniques for metal and woodworks. The armory proved highly influential in introducing particular knowledge to different fields. Henry M. Leland, for instance, transferred his experience in working at the armory to other industries that spawned companies such as Brown & Sharpe, Willcox & Gibbs, Cadillac Motor and Lincoln Motor (Hounshell 3-5).
Discuss how Thomas Edison and the electrical industry transformed modern corporations in the 1800s and the 1900s.
Thomas A. Edison has brought forth highly influential contributions throughout his life as an inventor. His inventions have helped changed the technological landscape towards the 20th century, as proven by his tremendous number of patents – 1093 during the course of his career. His success is not limited to his role as an inventor – he was also a noted businessperson who manufactured his inventions for sale to the public. As he went on with his enterprise, he encountered several brushes with corporations who sought to discredit him over disputes on his numerous patents (“The Life of Thomas A. Edison”; Holt McDougal, 762-763).
Several corporations went after Edison, their main competitor, as they developed their own innovations. One notable challenge faced by Edison was his competition against George Westinghouse, who developed the AC current as an answer to the former’s DC current. Such example, among others, helped trigger further competition from among several players in the burgeoning electrical industry. Edison himself withdrew from the competition, as his company, the Edison General Electric Co., became the General Electric Co. after the approval of a merger with Thomas-Houston in 1892. Soon thereafter, Edison ventured into other fields of technology. He involved himself with developing the phonograph, ore-milling and introducing improvements in motion pictures up until his death (“The Life of Thomas A. Edison”; Holt McDougal, 762-763).
Works Cited
Holt McDougal. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Chicago, IL: Holt McDougal, 2008. Print.
Hounshell, David. From the American System to Mass Production, 1800-1932: The Development of Manufacturing Technology in the United States (Studies in Industry and Society). Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985. Print.
The Life of Thomas A. Edison. The Library of Congress: American Memory, n.d. Web. 24 Dec. 2012.
