late 1880s
a time of invention + advances in technology. these things, along with railroad expansion + new business practices launced an age of industry
one of the first railroad barons
his railroad empire stretched from New York City to the Great Lakes
carried raw materials: iron, ore coal, + timber to factories
moved manufactured goods from factories to markets
shipped crops from farming areas to cities
has a stronger impact than iron, so they started using this for railroads
industries helped by railroads
standard gauge
tracks w/ 4 feet, 8.5 inch distance
having one same gauge drove down shipping times + costs
technology for railraods
air brakes, Janney cars, refrigerated railroad cars, + Pullman sleeping cas
George Westinghouse
who invented the air brakes to safely stop trains
Eli H. Janney
who invented Janney car couplers for railroad workers to link cars
Gustavus Swift
who invented refrigerated railroad cars to ship meat + crops
Gearge pullman
who invented the Pullman sleeping car, a luxurious railway car that turned into beds for overnight journeys
rebate
a discount or return of part of a payment
pool
formed by railroad barons