Romero, Jose. Industrial Revolution. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Commons, 12 June 2016. Web. 16 Jan. 2017. <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Revolucion_industria.jpg>.
Intro to Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period in the world's history when machinery and engineering was booming. Through inventions such as a textile machine or cotton gin, production of American goods was at an all time high since the country's inception. It was during the Industrial Revolution that the notion of modern-day consumerism began to take hold. Mass production allowed products to finally be affordable to the general public. Gone were the days were only the wealthiest individuals had all the purchasing power. Consequently, acquiring material goods became a symbol of status. Through successful branding, marketing, and advertising, companies have utilized rhetoric throughout history to increase their revenue.
Henry Ford Assembly Line Invention. Youtube. Chudnow Museum, 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 16 Jan. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQfzzMnU3U&feature=youtu.be>.
The Assembly Line
One of the critical developments of the Industrial Revolution was the assembly line. This development allowed for much more efficient and cost-effective production of numerous products. The most famous was the early automobile. The video shown above describes the basis for the assembly line, and the miracle that followed: the general public could now afford an automobile.
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/2/0/93202712/unknown-2_3.jpeg?250)
Shown to the left is a 1913 Ford Assembly Line. The process for building the Model T was now much more efficient and consistent, bringing the cost of manufacturing down. As a result, the mass market was now able to be reached.
Ford Assembly Line. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Commons, 6 July 2006. Web. 16 Jan. 2017. <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A-line1913.jpg>.
Post Revolution Struggles
The 1920s were characterized by consumerism because of the availability of products. By the 1930s, the Great Depression destroyed the economy and everybody's faith in America. Families became conscious with their spending and did not buy things that were not necessary for their survival. Advertisers were thrown into the turmoil of creating a new market out of nothing, with consumers that have little to no money. Their solution? To create new 'needs'. Companies saw advertising as convincing someone that they must have the product because it will create a better quality of living.
![Picture](/uploads/9/3/2/0/93202712/unknown-1_3.jpeg?250)
Shown to the left is a crowd gathering on Wall Street following the Stock Market Crash in October 1929. As the roaring 20's screeched to a halt, Americans now had to face the reality of a worsening economic situation, thus forcing them to dial back on their own spending.
Depression Stock Market Crash. Digital image. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Commons, 27 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Jan. 2017. <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Depression-stock-market-crash-1929.jpg>.