Final answer:
Technological innovations of the late 19th century were driven by the Second Industrial Revolution, the ambition of key industrialists, the desire for efficiency and comfort, advancements in communication and transportation, the rise of corporations, and global demands for raw materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The late 19th century saw significant technological innovations due to a variety of factors. The period marked by the Second Industrial Revolution witnessed dramatic changes in industrial practices with the advent of technologies such as modern steel production, electrical generators, and advances in communication like the telephone. Key factors contributing to this radical transformation included:
- The Industrial Revolution's momentum, which led to improved efficiency in production and the search for new innovations.
- The entrepreneurial spirit of historical figures like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J. P. Morgan, who invested in new technologies and business models.
- The drive for efficiency and comfort among Americans, propelling inventors and businesses to meet these demands.
- Advancements in communication and transportation, spurred by inventions such as the telephone and the expansion of railroads, which connected people and markets like never before.
- The rise of the corporation, which allowed for the aggregation of capital and resources necessary to fund and distribute new technologies.
- Global demands for raw materials, which led to economic and technological motives for imperialism, further accelerating technological advancements.
The interaction of these factors not only led to a plethora of new inventions but also to the growth of cities and the emergence of influential industrialists, transforming the American economic and social landscape.