In the 1920s, the idea of the “self made man” was epitomized through Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller. Through the innovation of Carnegie and Rockefeller, American society was given a living example of the American dream, American society was also improved through their philanthropic work and Americas place at the top of the global economy was firmly established. These two driven men were not held back by their modest beginnings and the legacy they left behind them changed American society for the better. Andrew Carnegie emigrated to America from Scotland in 1848 at the age of 13 and worked at a textile factory in Pennsylvania. Unsatisfied being a mid-level employee, Carnegie set his sights on opening his own steel company that was
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According to Foner, Carnegie distributed much of his wealth to various organizations and the creation of libraries throughout the country (Foner, 599). In 1900, Carnegie donated around one million dollars to found the Carnegie Technical Schools in Pennsylvania (cmu.edu). These technical schools expanded over the years and they are known today as Carnegie Mellon University. “The Gospel of Wealth” is the idea that was spread by Carnegie that those who amassed wealth had an obligation to use that wealth to improve the lives of others (Foner, 609). In a similar way, Rockefeller was known for giving much of his money away and helped to promote education and research (Foner, 599). According to the University of Chicago, Rockefeller made a donation of $600,000 in the late 1880s, worth $16 million today, to help fund the school (uchicago.edu). In 1901, Rockefeller also donated funds to establish the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York, at the time was the premier biomedical research facility in America at the time. The website, Philanthropy Roundtable documents all of the medical accomplishments of the institute which later became Rockefeller University. One such accomplishment is creating a vaccine for yellow fever …show more content…
Thanks largely to the advent of Ford vehicles in the early 1900s, the need for oil had grown by the 1920s. The glitz and glamour of the 1920's jazz age, would have been gravely lacking without fast cars. An editorial in The Atlanta Constitution in 1929, concluded that Jazz was in no way going to disappear since it was the unstoppable rhythm that was moving automobile engines (The Age). These fast cars required oil, and Standard Oil Company reaped the benefits of the “need for speed” for many years. By the 1880s, Standard Oil Company controlled ninety percent of the nation's oil industry (Foner, 599). Rockefeller, ever the shrewd business man, also marketed his business abroad (Foner, 665). Beginning in 1885, sky scrapers were being built in Chicago with steel frames (Marshall,Colin). Skyscrapers set the standard for architectural advancements and steel frames were much more sturdy than the wood framed buildings of the past. These steel behemoths and the race to have the tallest building meant that steel manufacturing would continue to be in high demand. Carnegie and Rockefeller were largely involved in helping American economy and business thrive. Both Carnegie and Rockefeller ran their businesses like empires; whether they were“robber barrons” or “captains of industry” their success made an impact on the annals of American history. Through
According to Foner, Carnegie distributed much of his wealth to various organizations and the creation of libraries throughout the country (Foner, 599). In 1900, Carnegie donated around one million dollars to found the Carnegie Technical Schools in Pennsylvania (cmu.edu). These technical schools expanded over the years and they are known today as Carnegie Mellon University. “The Gospel of Wealth” is the idea that was spread by Carnegie that those who amassed wealth had an obligation to use that wealth to improve the lives of others (Foner, 609). In a similar way, Rockefeller was known for giving much of his money away and helped to promote education and research (Foner, 599). According to the University of Chicago, Rockefeller made a donation of $600,000 in the late 1880s, worth $16 million today, to help fund the school (uchicago.edu). In 1901, Rockefeller also donated funds to establish the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York, at the time was the premier biomedical research facility in America at the time. The website, Philanthropy Roundtable documents all of the medical accomplishments of the institute which later became Rockefeller University. One such accomplishment is creating a vaccine for yellow fever …show more content…
Thanks largely to the advent of Ford vehicles in the early 1900s, the need for oil had grown by the 1920s. The glitz and glamour of the 1920's jazz age, would have been gravely lacking without fast cars. An editorial in The Atlanta Constitution in 1929, concluded that Jazz was in no way going to disappear since it was the unstoppable rhythm that was moving automobile engines (The Age). These fast cars required oil, and Standard Oil Company reaped the benefits of the “need for speed” for many years. By the 1880s, Standard Oil Company controlled ninety percent of the nation's oil industry (Foner, 599). Rockefeller, ever the shrewd business man, also marketed his business abroad (Foner, 665). Beginning in 1885, sky scrapers were being built in Chicago with steel frames (Marshall,Colin). Skyscrapers set the standard for architectural advancements and steel frames were much more sturdy than the wood framed buildings of the past. These steel behemoths and the race to have the tallest building meant that steel manufacturing would continue to be in high demand. Carnegie and Rockefeller were largely involved in helping American economy and business thrive. Both Carnegie and Rockefeller ran their businesses like empires; whether they were“robber barrons” or “captains of industry” their success made an impact on the annals of American history. Through