Great Leap Forward

The men who created the industrial base of the US during the industrial revolution from 1800 to 1900 had striking similarities. Those who pursued the most promising endeavors included Morgan, Vanderbilt, Carnegie, Rockefeller and Ford. There were hundreds of others just like them who were working on improving everything in use and experimenting on new inventions like the airplane.

They were hands-on and self-taught. They did their own experiments and became self-reliant as early as age 16.  Most grew up on family farms.  They were keenly aware of the opportunities they had to apply the science that had been developed from 1500 to 1800 into goods and products that would be in high demand and would improve structures and machines.  They made it their business to learn how things work.  They were accomplishment oriented and driven by attaining results to improve whatever they pursued.  They insisted on securing their own autonomy.

The steam engine was invented in 1698 in England to pump water out of coal mines.  In 1775, James Watt began building steam engines to power factories. In 1802 it was used to power the first locomotive engine enabling the addition of railroads. The steam engine marked the beginning of factory automation and labor-saving devices increased productivity and allowed for cost reductions and the expansion of the consumer base.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader