Skyscrapers and Streetcars Shaping Urban Life in America

By 1900, urbanization led to technological advancements like skyscrapers and transportation systems. Skyscrapers, pioneered by architects like Louis Sullivan and Daniel Burnham, maximized space. Transportation innovations, such as electric streetcars and subways, facilitated city expansion. Parks and recreational spaces, designed by figures like Frederick Law Olmsted, provided urban tranquility. Agricultural advances improved food supply, while communication and aviation technologies, including the Wright brothers' flights, transformed industries. Photography, revolutionized by George Eastman's Kodak camera, democratized image capturing and impacted journalism.

What technological development allowed architects to build taller buildings in the early 20th century?

• The invention of the light bulb

• The creation of reinforced concrete

• The use of wooden frames

• The development of internal steel skeletons

Who designed the Flatiron Building in New York City?

• John Augustus Roebling

• Daniel Burnham

• Frederick Law Olmsted

• Louis Sullivan

Which city was the first to adopt electric-powered streetcars in 1888?

• New York City, New York

• Chicago, Illinois

• Richmond, Virginia

• San Francisco, California

What was the primary purpose of elevated trains in large cities?

• To connect rural areas

• To provide scenic views

• To reduce travel time

• To prevent street congestion

Who was the landscape architect responsible for designing New York City's Central Park?

• Frederick Law Olmsted

• Daniel Burnham

• Louis Sullivan

• George Washington Carver

What innovation allowed farmers to transport goods without spoilage?

• Refrigerated railroad cars

• Electric streetcars

• Steel bridges

• Subway systems

What was the significant contribution of George Washington Carver to agriculture?

• Development of crop rotation techniques

• Invention of the tractor

• Introduction of refrigerated transport

• Creation of chemical fertilizers

What was the impact of the Kodak camera on journalism?

• It made photography more expensive

• It required immediate development of pictures

• It allowed journalists to capture events as they happened

• It limited photography to professionals

What was the duration and distance of the Wright brothers' first successful flight?

• 5 minutes and 1 mile

• 12 seconds and 120 feet

• 30 seconds and 200 feet

• 1 minute and 500 feet

Which innovation reduced the cost of magazines and newspapers in the early 20th century?

• The use of digital printing

• The development of the web-perfecting press

• The invention of the typewriter

• The creation of the telegraph