A period of rapid industrial advancement from roughly 1870 to 1914, it was characterized by new technologies, industries, and forms of organization. Key innovations included steel production, electricity, and the internal combustion engine. Examples of its impact are seen in the widespread adoption of electric lighting, the mass production of automobiles, and advancements in communication through the telephone and telegraph.
This era’s significance lies in its profound societal and economic transformations. It fueled unprecedented economic growth, altered labor practices, and intensified global interconnectedness. The emergence of large corporations and the rise of a consumer culture also mark this period. Understanding this era is crucial for grasping the context of late 19th- and early 20th-century imperialism, urbanization, and social movements.