Philanthropists Of The Gilded Age: Captains Of Industry

During the Gilded age, there was a group of industrialists who impacted America greatly. Industrialists like Vanderbilt, Edison, and Rockefeller all owned successful businesses and were leaders in their industries. Industrialists of the Gilded Age were Captains of Industry because they were inventive and were Philanthropists who benefited society. Throughout the Gilded Age, industrialists were Captains of Industry because they were Philanthropists who donated money to schools, medical centers, and former slaves. Many industrialists such as Carnegie and Vanderbilt have all contributed money to different charities and have supported many colleges. Philanthropists have all donated money to benefit society and help other people as well as their

The rise of new technology changed the nation's productivity and improved communication networks. These new inventions also led to the rise of new industries which increased wealth and employment rates. During the late 1800s, innovations such as the telephone and the light bulb increased economic development. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone and created a telephone company called the American Telephone and Telegraph Company which is known as, AT&T (Sussman, Gregg, n.d., p. 411). This invention changed the world by improving communication during the Gilded age. By inventing the telephone people were able to communicate long distances without having to send letters to family and friends. In the early 1900s, Thomas Edison invented the light bulb which changed the world. Because of the light bulb, people in factories were able to work in better conditions, increase productivity, and eliminate pollution caused by gas lighting. Technology changed the way people lived and made their lives easier. Edison and Bell were Captains of Industry who took risks in developing new inventions that improved the lives of all American