By: Andrés Oropeza
Inventions of the 19th century have helped the United States progress and become the hegemonic power that it is today. Of course, the nation first started out as a seed, taking in as much as it could to sprout and began to flourish. The United States cannot advance politically, socially, and especially economically without the advancement in the area of science. It is through the inventions of science that pave the way to a prosperous and glorious future. Some of the inventions that greatly impacted the U.S. include the steamboat, the Erie Canal, the armored steamships involved in the Battle of the Ironclads, and the pneumatic subway. Every new invention symbolizes the perseverance of the United States. During the 19th century, the United States could not have successfully achieved the economic growth that it has without having been introduced to new inventions.
The steamboat helped the United States’ economy reach incredible heights. John Fitch first introduced the steamboat to the United States in 1787 when he traveled on a forty-five foot steamboat on the Delaware River. With the invention of the steamboat, the boating trade along the waterways between the Eastern states became a profitable commercial enterprise.[i] Money was made because it was a mode of public transportation that many people took advantage of and goods were able to get across as well. Robert Fulton, along with his partner Robert Livingstone, had decided to take advantage of this new opportunity and they built their very own steamboat, the Clermont. In 1807, Fulton and Livingstone successfully journeyed up and down the Hudson River, providing rides to passengers on each trip. The steamboat had improved economy by providing not only a new way of transportation but also a new means of obtaining a profit that helped better the economy.
The Erie Canal was another invention that greatly improved the United States economy. Building a single canal to connect the Hudson River to Lake Erie at first seemed like a daunting task. However, De Witt Clinton never gave up in fighting for what he believed would be a major turning point for his state economically. In 1817, a canal bill was passed guaranteeing funding for the completion of the canal. It had taken eight years to complete the 363 miles of inland waterway between Albany and Buffalo, New York, destined to become one of the most important routes to the west.[ii] A shorter route was made through which people and goods could get from one point to another in a shorter period of time. The Erie Canal was able to improve the New York state’s economy and helped it rival the economy of other states in the United States.
The steamboat brought many new possibilities in improving the economy of the United States as it was used for various purposes. The steamboat was not only used only to ferry people and valuable commodities but also as an impressive destructive force during the Civil War. In 1862, the Confederates boasted their strength by sending into the war the U.S.S. Merrimac. Merrimac devastated the U.S. blockading squadron by sinking the Cumberland and the Congress. However, the U.S.S. Monitor, the iron brute on the Union side, arrived on time to challenge the U.S.S. Merrimac. In the end, neither could overcome the other and the battle between the two titans ended in a draw. This battle helped the metal industries prosper since it was evident to see how crucial it was to outfit steamships with coats of metal. The steamboat drastically shortened travel times and enabled greater numbers of people and goods to move longer distances.[iii] So, troops were able to receive help at a faster time and military weapons and supplies could also be brought from one place to another at a faster time. In the northern part of the United States, the industries grew because of the need for supplies for war from both the Union and the Confederacy, which helped economy grow.
The invention of the pneumatic subway had not made such a significant impact, however, its revolutionary idea helped set up economic growth through public transportation. Alfred Ely Beach was a successful businessman who wanted to create public transportation so that the New York streets would be less congested. Unfortunately, Boss Tweed would not agree with Alfred’s idea of creating a subway, so instead, Alfred told him he was building tubes through which to send mail. After receiving permission, he proceeded with his original plan and worked on it during the night. Finally, in 1870, the first subway opened, stretching from Warren to Cedar street. It turned out to be a big hit and many passengers climbed on board. With this invention a tradesman ten miles away on the other side of a town may be communicated with, and goods obtained from him by a housekeeper, as quickly and with as little personal inconvenience as now if he were in the next block.[iv] This meant that people were able to travel and send things so much faster. However, before the pneumatic subway could gain much success, it was forgotten because of the financial panic of 1873. Even though the pneumatic subway did not enjoy much success, it set the stage for future subways. It also showed how effective public transportation could be in decongesting streets and gaining a profit and improving the economy.
The inventions of the 19th century had opened many roads and offered many new possibilities. There seemed to be no limit to what a person could do with the many new inventions. This made improving the U.S. economy a simple task while accomplishing a person’s own endeavors. It seems impossible to imagine life without the inventions that greatly changed everyday life. The U.S. economy could not be prosperous as it is now if it weren’t for these inventions which laid the foundation for future contraptions.
[i]John Marshall, “Gibbons v. Ogden,” http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=385677&query=Steamboat.
[ii]“Songs of the Erie Canal,” http://america.eb.com/america/article?articleId=385662&query=Erie+Canal.
[iii]Heidi Hill, “WHEN RIVERS WERE ROADS,” Cobblestone 27, no. 8 (2006) MasterFILE Select, EBSCOhost, http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mfh&AN=23096988&site=ehost-live.
[iv]Frederick Law Olmsted, “The Unplanned Growth of Cities,” http://america.eb.com/america/article?article=386314&query=Pneumatic+Railroad.
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