What was the technology like in the eighteen hundreds?

Answer 1

Many technological advances occurred in this century, especially in the second half.

Here are some highlights.

1. Steam engines become quite reliable - steam ships crossed oceans and steam locomotives pulled trains . Railroads connected the US from coast to coast.
2. Telegraphs and later telephones changed the world of communication. A trans-Atlantic telegraph cable connected the US with Europe.
3. Electric lights and electric companies and electrical service to homes came into being.
4. Electric street cars appeared in cities
5. Oil and natural gas wells were sunk and oil and gas became important sources of fuel.
6. The gasoline engine was developed and gasolene cars appeared late in the century.
7. Ice-making machines led to ice-houses which sold ice all year round.
8. Photography came into existence.
9. The linotype machine greatly simplified setting type for printing.