Final answer:
The late nineteenth century's technological innovation was driven by business investments, a demand for efficiency, and a shift from rural to urban living. This period saw great industrial growth with advances in electricity and mechanics, profoundly impacting social and economic landscapes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The late nineteenth century saw a surge in technological innovations spurred by several key factors that transformed the American economy. Business leaders like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller played a crucial role, as their investments in research and development enabled numerous technological advancements. Additionally, the call for efficiency and comfort from the American public drove inventors and entrepreneurs to develop new products aimed at enhancing productivity and the quality of life. The increase in patent applications during this time is a testament to the burst of creative and commercial activity. Furthermore, the shift from rural to urban living created a demand for technology that would aid in factory production as well as agriculture—the reaper and the plow are examples that lessened the need for farm labor, propelling workers towards the urban industries. This transition also resulted in an increased need for the transport of goods, leading to innovations such as refrigerated rail cars. Lastly, the widespread adoption of farm tools like tractors and combine harvesters led to a shift in agricultural practices from subsistence farming to mass production.
These factors worked in concert to fuel the industrial growth that significantly changed the social and economic landscape of the United States. New technologies in areas such as electricity and mechanics redefined the production processes in both factories and farms, ushering in an era of mass production and industrialization.