The World of Machines and Technology: Then and Now

WebQuest
The World of Machines and Technology:
Then and Now

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WebQuest
The World of Machines and Technology:
Then and Now

Hopedale Elementary Integration

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Updated
06/02/2000

Introduction
The Blackstone Valley: Cradle of the American Industrial Revolution The Eighteenth century was the beginning of a revolution that affected society, commerce, and technology. This technological revolution, known as the Industrial Revolution, was an important period in American and European history. The Industrial Revolution changed manufacturing by changing the way people worked. It brought work out of the home and into the factory. Each year it grew as new inventions and manufacturing processes added to the efficiency of machines and increased productivity. The effects of the Industrial Revolution on society are long lasting. Today we have automobiles, airplanes, and computers, made possible by this revolution. Without the Industrial Revolution, we would not have the technologies that we have today. The Industrial Revolution began in Europe and spread to America with the opening of Samuel Slater's cotton mill on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1793. The opening of his mill marks the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution. As residents of the Blackstone Valley we live in the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. Along the Blackstone Valley and throughout New England, we celebrate this heritage and strive to understand the connections between the industry and innovation of this historical period and the industry and innovation of tomorrow.
The Task
You have been hired by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, local Chambers of Commerce, and the state of Massachusetts to attract new business and industry to the Blackstone Valley. The Blackstone Valley and New England as a whole, have a rich history as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Your employers have asked you to highlight the successful businesses and industry from the past and present. They have hired you to prepare a brochure for publication, and a PowerPoint demonstration that you will present for a group of companies interested in this region.
The Process
First, you will need to research this topic. The resources below are available on the Internet. Next, you will create a three panel brochure and a PowerPoint presentation that you will present for your class. They must include the following: Why is the Blackstone Valley referred to as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution? The towns of the Blackstone Valley were at the heart of the American Industrial Revolution. Show examples of how these towns were involved. Preserving the history of this region is important. Give specific examples of how towns and businesses have worked together to preserve this history. What are some of the successful business of today that are located in this region? Compare and contrast the business and industry of today with the business and industry of the past. Are they similar or completely different? Transportation of people, finished goods, and raw materials is important to industry. What specific means of transportation are available in this region (highways, airports, trains, waterways and seaports)?
Resources
The links below will help you find the information you need. Please report any dead links to the webmaster.
Towns	History
Bellingham Blackstone Douglas Grafton Hopedale Mendon Milford Millbury Millville Northbridge Sutton Upton Uxbridge	Modernizing Cotton in New England Factories and Technology in Industrializing America Technology in Manufacturing Samuel Slater-Father of the Industrial Revolution The Beginning of a Revolution: Waltham and the Boston Manufacturing Company
Business and Industry	Other Useful Links
Breaking new ground: Route 146 corridor towns eye cooperative milestone Bringing manufacturing into modern times Centers of Attention: Douglas, Whitinsville and Millbury seek to revive their downtowns EMC = Growth + Vision The Second Industrial Revolution in Fitchburg Greater Milford Towns Think and Act Locally Hybridon Inc., Milford Inventory of Industrial Businesses in the Town of Milford Movement in the Muck New Ward Valve Co. LLC, Manchaug: One-way ticket to success Riding the Rails to Prosperity Riverdale Mills Northbridge Waters Corp., Milford Who’s hot, who’s not in the Blackstone Valley	Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Milford Area Chamber of Commerce United Chamber of Commerce Providence and Worcester Railroad Company CSX Transportation Massachusetts Profile Massport Takes Over at Worcester Airport About Regional Airports The Port of Boston Massachusetts Turnpike Authority