Final answer:
The microprocessor was crucial in the development of the second wave of technology during the Second Industrial Revolution, which brought innovations such as the steamship engine by Robert Fulton, the internal combustion engine, and pivotal communication inventions like the typewriter and telephone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of Inventions in the Second Industrial Revolution. The invention of the microprocessor was a major factor in the development of the second wave of technology. During the Second Industrial Revolution, a new generation of technological innovation emerged, including the development of modern steel, electrical generators, and the widespread use of the bicycle and automobile. Robert Fulton is known for inventing the steamship engine, which, along with the rotary printing press and other significant inventions such as the telegraph and telephone, transformed various sectors including transportation, communication, and manufacturing. The steam engine, specifically, revolutionized mining and manufacturing by replacing human and animal power, allowing for resources and manufactured goods to be acquired more efficiently and contributing to the economic growth and westward expansion in the United States. An invention that enabled nineteenth-century manufacturers to power machinery where steam engines were too big to be used was the internal combustion engine. Innovations like the typewriter and the telephone further transformed communication and opened up new job opportunities, particularly for women in clerical roles. Overall, these technological advancements were instrumental in driving industrialization, creating an urban population for factories, and enabling the growth of modern city skylines.