Dictionary.com | Free Online Dictionary for English Definitions. Your bibliography / works cited list. Industrial Revolution - People - Inventions - Events. Important Inventors, Inventions, and Events of the Industrial Revolution Cotton and Cloth In 1794, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which made the separation of cotton seeds from fiber much faster. The South increased its cotton supply sending raw cotton north to be used in the manufacture of cloth. Francis C. Lowell increased the efficiency in the manufacture of cloth by bringing spinning and weaving processes together into one factory. In 1846, Elias Howe created the sewing machine which revolutionized the manufacture of clothing.
Interchangeable Parts Eli Whitney came up with the idea to use interchangeable parts in 1798 to make muskets. From Agriculture to Cities As industries and factories arose, people moved from farms to cities. Communication and the Industrial Revolution With the increased size of the United States, better communication networks became ultra important. Transportation The Cumberland Road, the first national road, was begun in 1811. Industrial Revolution in 19th Century America - Industrial Revolution. Background of the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution (1820-1870) was of great importance to the economic development of the United States. The first Industrial Revolution occurred in Great Britain and Europe during the late eighteenth century. It then centered on the United States and Germany. The Industrial Revolution itself refers to a change from hand and home production to machine and factory.
The first industrial revolution was important for the inventions of spinning and weaving machines operated by water power which was eventually replaced by steam. This helped increase America’s growth. However, the industrial revolution truly changed American society and economy into a modern urban-industrial state.
Growing Industrialization The real impetus for America entering the Industrial Revolution was the passage of the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812. Industrialization in America involved three important developments.