Could you imagine a world without electricity? Could you believe that at some point in history to take a photo you needed a device the size of a microwave? For the new generations, these questions are unthinkable, they were born with all the basic technologies and they grew up to enjoy the development of new incredible devices and tools that make the 21st century, in the history of humanity, the best period to live.
In this blog, I will share with you the story of 3 entrepreneurs of the 20th century who impacted the world like no one before.
1.Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison was not only a brilliant and renowned inventor but he was also considered one of America's leading entrepreneurs and innovators.
Thomas Edison acquired a record number of 1,093 patents. He was responsible for developing many modern devices such as car batteries, movies, music recorders, and brought home electricity to life, laying the foundation for the modern electrical world.
By 1870, Edison had acquired a reputation as a first-rate inventor, working as a freelance businessman and managing several machinists in a small laboratory. He formed various alliances and developed products for different companies, such as the Western Union Telegraph Company.
In 1880 he founded his own electric company called the Edison Illuminating Company, known as the first investor-owned electric utility.
2. Henry Ford
Although Henry Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line, he was responsible for transforming the concept of owning a car.
With some experience working for different automobile companies, and after two failed company attempts, in 1903 Ford founded his third automobile company, called Ford Motor Company. A variety of improved car models were released before Ford could achieve his vision of building a better, cheaper car for the multitude, and in 1908 he came up with the Model T.
At first, the cost of this car model was about $850 dollars, approximately $1,200 less than most cars at the time. Actually, the Model T was the first car most people could afford.
Ford's progressive idea of cutting costs and offering the least expensive product led him to pay his workers a salary commensurate with the cost of the car, therefore they could buy the car they produced. This innovative idea allowed Ford Motor Company to produce and sell more cars than any other automobile company.
3. George Eastman
George Eastman is considered the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film, he was a philanthropist and entrepreneur whose work had a huge impact on modern photography.
At 23, he bought a photographic outfit at the suggestion of a co-worker. He was supposed to take a vacation trip to Santo Domingo, but he never went. However, after acquiring all the photo-taking equipment and noticing how awkward and complicated the process of taking and developing photos was, he decided to start looking for ways to improve it.
After 3 years of experimenting, in 1880, he invented and patented the dry-plate coating machine.
Almost a year later, with the financial help of Henry Strong, Goerge Eastman formed the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company, later known as the Eastman Kodak Company in 1892.
This company revolutionized photography and made it more accessible by creating easy-to-use cameras and developing a flexible film that helped launch the motion picture industry.
In conclusion, the world we know today would not be possible without all the work of talented entrepreneurs who saw opportunities for the future and innovated to improve people's lives. Entrepreneurs like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and George Eastman built the base for later technological development that made possible the life we know today.
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