Historical Question #4 (REAL EASY)

Every invention has societal consequences. Some are far-
reaching (polio vaccine) and some affect few, if any (the
golf tee). These inventions have indirect and direct
consequences.

Name the invention that was the major DIRECT contributor to
saving a way of life in the US and (less so) Britain.
Parenthetically, this invention was also INDIRECTLY
arguably responsible for the advancement of more human
misery than any other invention of the 19th century.

There may be more than one answer. I'm interested in what comes up.

[paulw]

How can it be real easy if there is more than one answer? I am fascinated to know what you are thinking of. In terms of human misery, how about the dental drill? Don't know about saving a way of life though (except for Dentists). Tarmac? Railways? Barbed Wire? The revolver?

Tell me now - I can't wait.... (Rather like Xmas really).

Cheers,

P.

PS Check out my thread for you and Ian, please.

It is currently 10AM my time. With no answer, or an answer that is not mine, I will post my answer at 2PM

[paulw]

You mean sod - I will be at home by then and I will have to wait till tomorrow. :(

Cheers,

P.

[Ianpbaker]

I would go along with railways. as robert louis stevenson made the first train in the mide 1800's. As for the saving of a way of life, i'm not to sure as why the was a Direct contributor, but it was one of the earliest way's of traveling long distances over land quickly, and as the US is such a vast place, then it does help greatly.

As for the for the advancement of more human
misery than any other invention of the 19th century. I live in the UK, no need to say any more

Ian

[Ianpbaker]

sorry Robert jefferson not robert louis steverson (the book writter)

Ok, here goes.

1. The steam engine was not invented by RL Stevenson. he
invented Robinson Crusoe.

2. The steam engine destroyed a way of life (canaling) and
created a new one (prairie).

The invention I was thinking of was the Cotton Gin.
Invented in 1793, it saw huge expansion at the beginning of
the 19th century.

Prior to general use of the Gin, growing and preparing
cotton for market was an extremely labor intensive
process. This labor was provided by American black
slaves. With the introduction of Egyptian long fiber
cotton, cotton growing in the US was becoming a failing
economic enterprise. Cotton plantations were converting to
rice and indigo in Georgia and the Carolina's.

Rice, indigo and other southern agricultural crops are not
as labor intensive as cotton. The institution of slavery
was beginning to show economic malaise, as the growers saw
that keeping slaves was more expensive than hiring seasonal
labor.

The invention of the Cotton Gin for short and moderate
fiber cottons, made cotton the King for the American
South. It made the extension of slavery into Alabama,
Mississippi and Texas a foregone conclusion as the growers
rushed west to find more land for growing cotton. This
land was necessary as the cotton used the nutrients at a
rate far faster than any other crop, except possibly
tobacco.

Thus, the cotton gin was responsible for the continuation
and expansion of the plantation society in the American
South, the continued and expanded institution of slavery in
the south, and the continued expansion of the factory
cotton factory system in England.

[paulw]

V. Interesting.

I could get into this. Incidentally DF, you are the only person I know (apart from me) who would make a distinction between Northumbria and Bernicia which is truly excellent.

Do ypou know much about Anglo Saxon history or was that a one-off dug out for the occasion. It is actually a fascinating story...

Cheers,

P.

[Ianpbaker]

sorry derfarm - I did correct my above mistake, Robert jefferson created the rocket. It's just that I have so much useless information like this, I picked the wrong name out

I was a student of historical theology and comparative
religions at one time. I know quite a bit about Anglo-
Saxon and pre-Germanic England. More importantly, I know
how to find things that match up with what I already know,
which allows me to fill in the blanks.

How to find and what to look for is MUCH more important
than knowing.

[paulw]

Actually Ian, it is a forgivable mistake - it was George Stephenson (or Stevenson), who had a son, Robert. So the confusion is understandable, but not the same chap at all. George was a great pioneer but not the first. His Rocket is justly famous though, as it pulled one of the earliest passenger trains going and was a leap forward in design, winning a £500 prize at the Rainhill trials. His son worked closely with him and was also a railway pioneer of some repute.

Assuming you are rich enough, check out the back of a £5 note and you will find a picture of George and his Rocket there!

DF I suspect he is not on any of your bills though:(

Cheers,

P.

[Ianpbaker]

that's the problem paul, there are too many famous stepheson's and end steverson's, it's easy to get mudled.
my turn for the obscure.

My home town of hastings is most famous for two things. one you'll know and one you might not. First 1066 - The battle of hastings, when william the bastard (conquerer) finally over threw harold to claim england. A liitle known fact is that the actual battle took place outside of hastings on a field about 8 miles outside. there is now a village and an abbey (built by the normans), and the village is called battle.

you might of heard of the new, film Grey Owl (Directed by richard attenbourough and staring Pierce Brosnan as the lead). Grey owl was one of the first conservationist of our time. He was seen as this great indian, but in real he was originally from hastings and had such a fasination with indian's, decided to become one. It wasn't untill after his death that this was discovered. He done a great many things as a conservationist, but the film doesn't go into the fact he was also a biggomist and a alchaholic

[smh]

The computer. It has help people keep businesses at home so they can stay at home with family, but also is a stress when you have a limited amount of knowledge about computers, or your harddrive crashes where all of your business information is stored.

Ha Ha

[paulw]

Sadly Ian, I knew both those things. Call me sad. As far as life changing inventions go, how about the Automobile. Check out photographs from the 1890's and compare the same scene 100 years later - you will be able to see bugger all for the rows of shiny cars.

The car has certainly changed England and English lifeand not necessarily for the better. Mind you, getting the shopping in from the out-of-town shopping centre would be impossible without a car (see what I mean).

Cheers,

P.

[Ianpbaker]

I bow down to your great knowledge, "i'm not worthy" ;)

[paulw]

True, true.

:D

P.

[HarryW]

Well I don't even know what a cotton gin is. I shudder to think what a hard question would be like.

[paulw]

Check out the one about the Synod of Whitby - it's a doozy...

P.

PS I was pretty impressed that DerFarm had even heard of Whitby.