The Second Industrial Revolution
http://www.tomrichey.net While historians often refer to the Industrial Revolution that took place between 1760 and 1914, there were TWO distinct phases of industrial development that took place during this time. The latter period of development, from 1850-1914, is often referred to as the "Second Industrial Revolution." World Expositions, such as the Crystal Palace (1851) and the Columbian Exposition (1893), showcased the technological progress of this time period. This Second Industrial Revolution saw the development of the internal combustion engine, petroleum and electricity as sources of power, experimentation with chemicals, and a massive expansion of railroads. World War I and its unprecedented military technologies represented the culmination of the Second Industrial Revolution, which can be especially seen when the technologies used in WWI are compared with those used in the American Civil War.
