Wednesday, November 7, 2012


19th Century Business & Industry Reprise:

Previous presenters: Jessica Hall, Scott Reid, Will Wacholz

            The presentation that caught my attention specifically was the 19th century Industry. Aspects that pull me toward this assertion revolve around the fact that the group was thoroughly prepared. For instance, the presentation was well laid out, in a quantified and easy to follow manner. Secondly, the presenters knew what they were talking about, and what they were saying held meaning (instead of incoherent ramblings that purvey no information). As well, the presentation was more engaging and personable because the speakers were not staring at the computer/projection screen and reading the text word for word.

Nonetheless, for my expansion on a 19th century theme…


·         The Krupp family:
o    A prominent German family notably famous for production in steel and armaments
o    Friedrich Krupp started steel foundry, Essen 1810.        
§  Invested in new technologies and became significant manufacturer of steel rollers and railway parts.
§  Invested in technologies necessary for the Bessemer process.
§  Acquired land/mines in Germany and France.
o    Company evolved and began to make steel cannons in 1840’s for various armies. This led to the company delving further into military technologies.
§  By 1880, weapons were 50% of the company’s output.
§  Around this time the company had expanded from 5 workers to 20,000.
o    The company kept leadership within the family name after death of founder and was replaced by Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach.

o    A few decades later, Adolf Hitler came to power and the Krupp works became the center for Germany military armament.
§  Responsible for Panzer tanks & many German U-boats.
o    After war, Krupp was put on trial for slave labor/ war criminal charges. However, he came to hold the company after release from prison.

o    The Krupp Corporation merged with Thyssen AG in 1999 and became Germany’s 5th largest firm & leading steel producer for the world.

Reference:

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