Next time you are in the high school check out the industrial revolution timelines made by the sophomore American History II class. The timelines cover 1865-1920 and show a number of technological advances that came into existence during this era.

Although the industrieal revolution first began in Great Britain, America was particularly suited to pick up that ball and run with it, so to speak, because of a number of significant factors. First, America had an abundance of natural resources, such as water, timber, iron ore, copper, good soil, and petroleum, that were used to manufacture goods. Second, a large work force, contributed by large families and large numbers of European and Asian immigrants coming to the country at the time. The third factor, the abundance of capital from both other countries and within this country, was provided by financial investors hoping to make lots of money in return. Finally, America's free-market system, with its emphasis on the profit motive, encouraged many entrepreneurs to start new businesses.

The class worked hard on their projects and were amazed by some of the facts they learned about products from crayons to dynamite to Dr. Pepper! We hope you get a chance to come take a look.