There are no accidents in history. It is impossible to make something out nothing. History is not made in a vacuum any more than oak tree is made out of thin air. Every historical movement or event is the result of something that happened earlier just as the oak is dependent upon the acorn , the soil, moisture, and proper weather conditions. And in its turn every such historical movement or event helps to determine the future. This is true of the rise of industry.
The roots of American industry extend backward into the past. One of its main roots is that of invention. Factories could not run without the wheel, which was one of the first inventions, and one of the most important inventions, ever made. They could not run efficiently without thousands of other inventions which have been made as the centuries have passed by. Another main root is the idea of interchangeable parts. This meant that instead of making an entire machine, automobile, or rifle as a unit in one factory, largely by hand and at great expense, the small individual parts might be manufactured in separate factories or shops in mass production at a much lower cost. A third main root consists of the discoveries of our scientists who harnessed electricity, found new ways to use petroleum and other natural resources, and unlocked secrets through chemistry. A fourth great root consists of our natural resources. Without iron ore, copper, oil, timber, fertile soil, and similar natural resources large industries could not exist.
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