Throughout history, there have been many people who power housed their generation. Because of these powerful and wealthy men, America became one of the most modernized countries in the world. Without men like Steve Jobs and John D. Rockefeller, America wouldn’t be where it is today. These two astonishing men changed the world by manufacturing America’s most important companies; Apple Inc. and Standard Oil. Though strikingly different companies, Steve Jobs and John D. Rockefeller compare with their starting points, prime time, and their long lasting legacy on American citizens.
To begin with, Steve Jobs and John D. Rockefeller had very similar starting points. Both Jobs and Rockefeller grew up in modest families and showed signs of interest in their jobs at a young age. Jobs showed interest into machines before high school and took multiple lectures on the topic. During these lectures, he met Steve Wozniak and together they created a company that primarily designs video games. They later joined a group of computer addicts who
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constructed homemade computers and chips. Jobs and Wozniak were able to sell one hundred of these homemade computers to a local computer store, thus creating the official start of Apple Computers.
(Quezzaire). In addition, John D. Rockefeller was industrious from his youth. He earned money by doing jobs for his neighbors. Later, when Rockefeller moved to Ohio, he attended high school and studied at a commercial college. Throughout the next few years, Rockefeller obtained new partners to help him create the Standard Oil company, who of which are unknown besides his brother, William Rockefeller. At this point of time, his business interest skyrocketed because of the growing demand for oil. (History.com Staff). These early interests in their industry and the establishment of their companies formed a firm foundation for success in the prime time phase of their careers.
Secondly, Jobs and Rockefeller became very rich during their prime time. Jobs’ Macintosh computers were integrated with a fast processor, the Motorola 68000, making it extremely user friendly. This computer was also the first to use a graphical user interface, a system
that allowed a person to click on a picture to navigate the computer. This allowed Apple to gain a reliable and powerful reputation after months of convincing the public that Apple’s computers were the best. (Quezzaire). In the beginning of Rockefeller’s prime time, he also ran into conflicts trying to convince that his new refined oil was safe to use and wouldn’t cause hazardous fires like the local newspapers reported. Once he overcame these harsh reviews, Rockefeller’s oil company became number one across the United States. He was able to make deals with major railroad companies to ship his oil across the U.S. to power machines and civilian homes. (Gallagher’s video). Likewise to Rockefeller’s rising power with oil, Jobs came out with a new product, the iPod. These were only compatible with Macintosh computers, which is why these two devices started Jobs prime time. Later, Apple released PC versions of the iPod, which made sales burst into profit. This led to the release of the iTunes Music Store which sold over a million songs for a dollar a piece. In 2007, Jobs introduced the iPhone. This followed up with iPads and MacBook computers. (Quezzaire). Though Jobs and Rockefeller’s business strategies were very different, they both worked out in the end. Jobs was overly confident, but still wanted everybody to to be happy with their products so he focused on making them more user friendly. Though he still competed with his competitors, he didn’t want to annihilate their business as a whole. (Quezzaire). In contrast, Rockefeller bought out all of his competitors. He wanted to have all the power he could and he would do anything to do so. (Gallagher’s article). These major prime times lead to the astonishing net worths of these two men. Jobs net worth was $11 billion (Maxfield), and Rockefeller’s net worth was $340 billion (O’Donnell), making Rockefeller one of the wealthiest men in the world. Lastly, these two men left a long lasting legacy. Jobs created the world’s most used smartphone; the iPhone. This allowed many users to have a reliable device that they could use to communicate through the internet. The public remembers his hard work and dedication to always provide newly revised products. Quickly after Jobs died on October 5, 2011, gifts flooded the world in respect for the loved innovator. To this day, people still hold respect to Jobs as he changed modern America. They continue to love the products that Apple Inc. provides for their family. (Gassée). Rockefeller also left a lasting impression on the world. Though his business strategies were harsh, he did have a soft side once he retired his business. Rockefeller donated more than half a billion dollars to various educational, religious, and scientific causes. He also funded the founding of the University of Chicago and Rockefeller University. Standard Oil allowed America to flourish, providing a fuel to run factories and provide a light source for the general public. He died on May 23, 1937 known for his wealth and power. In conclusion, Steve Jobs and John D. Rockefeller were two of the biggest industry titans in America. Because of Jobs and Rockefeller’s early interests, they created America’s biggest industries; Apple Inc. and Standard Oil. Both men have excelled in their prime time by mastering the secret of creating a lucrative business. And lastly, they both left a distinctive impression on modern America by becoming such powerful and wealthy men. In my opinion, Rockefeller was a more successful business owner because he created Standard Oil in a time where industrial creation was key in the growth of America. America couldn’t flourish as quickly as it did without Rockefeller’s company. This made Jobs company, Apple Inc., insignificant.
Rockefeller was the co-founder of the stand Oil Company. His wealth grew and became the world’s richest man. By the early 1880s, he dominated the oil business with his Standard Oil Company, in which he accounted thirty percent of. In the overall U.S. refineries and pipelines, his company accounted for around ninety percent. John D. Rockefeller was also a major philanthropist.
Rockefeller was the son of a trader, and began in the oil company when he was 20. He knew this was the area to invest in, because coal was being replaced by oil in the power industries. By 1870, he had his first oil business, called the Standard Oil Company. Like Carnegie, Rockefeller used horizontal integration and within two years, he had also created a monopoly. He made more money because he paid his workers extremely low wages and treated them poorly. Unlike Carnegie who offered his workers benefits and stock options, Rockefeller gave his workers poor conditions and even abused them at times. Even though Rockefeller was a philanthropist and gave a lot of his money away, that does not make up for how he treated other people and put people out of business to become wealthy. He is best known for a robber baron because he simply used his power to destroy other businesses. He did whatever he could to control the oil industry, even if that meant stepping on others on the way to his success. He reduced the costs of his company, and he was then able to drive other companies out of business, which is how he became one of the richest men in history.
When John D. Rockefeller merged with the railroad companies, he had gained control of a strategic transportation route that no other companies would be able to use. Rockefeller would then be able to force the hand on the railroads and was granted a rebate on his shipments of oil. This was a kind of secret agreement between the two industries. None of the competition knew what the rates were for the rebates or the rates that Rockefeller was paying the railroad. This made it hard for the competition to keep up with the Standard Oil Company. The consequences led to many oil companies getting bought out by Rockefeller secretly. All in all, 25 co...
These industrialists are the pillars of the American society due to the successful outcomes of their hard works. Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller were both born in an underprivileged families. Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller became the breadwinner of the family at a young age. They both worked hard despite of being born to a
In the years following the Civil War, the American economy was suffering from extreme disorder. However, during the late 1800s and early 1900s, important leaders of American industry arose, essentially transforming the American financial system from chaos to efficiency. These powerful men shaped America into a world superpower and the country’s economy sparked jealous across the globe. Their contributions to business positively affected not only the United States’ economy, but society as well. Andrew Carnegie, John Davison Rockefeller, and John Pierpont Morgan reflect the mammoth industrial age of America. Although some may argue these industrialists were “robber barons,” these men were, in reality, “captains of industry” utilizing modern business practices and technology which provided both cheap products and job opportunities for the public, as well as becoming large-scale philanthropists and contributing much to American society.
In conclusion both Andrew Carnegie and Steve Jobs were very successful hard working entrepreneurs. They impacted America in such a way that their innovations and business ideas have changed the way we look and use technology today. They are true Captains of Industry who used their power, success and wealth to help their communities and America
John D. Rockefeller and other members of his family produced the fuel that powered America and Europe. In fact, 85% of the world's kerosene supply was produced in a company of Rockefeller's in Pennsylvania. J.P. Morgan, a giant in finance was equally successful by capitalizing small businesses and taking private corporations public. His genius for investing and financing was known world-wide. Because of Morgan and investors like him the American economy grew at a rate that the world had not seen before. His "Gentlemen's Agreement" brought stability to a railroad industry that was unstable because of it's incredible growth. The agreement regulated rates, settled disputes and imposed fines for companies that did not abide by the terms of their contracts. J.P. Morgan helped create a centralized banking system and paved the way for what was to become The Federal Reserve. Henry Ford a corporate giant in transportation built the Ford Motor Company and
To describe John D. Rockefeller in one word would be an extremely difficult, if not impossible thing to do. Rockefeller was known by so many things in his time and still today; a captain of industry who revolutionised the American economy with new business practices and keen management of what he controlled, a robber baron who lied and cheated his way to the top with back room dealings and taking advantage of the most disadvantaged of people. In his early life, Rockefeller grew up in Richmond, New York with his two brothers and two sisters about 20 years before the start of the Civil War as the child of Eliza Davison and William Avery Rockefeller. His father was con artist who spent most of John’s life traveling selling his various elixirs and his mother was a devout Baptist who John said shaped his life and most of his religious views for the rest of his life. Towards the end of his life, Rockefeller had built up a beyond substantial fortune but, seeing as how he was now retired from the oil industry and had no desire to invest into a new business, he decided to follow Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth by donating the bulk of his wealth to charity. John D. Rockefeller was truly a man who was almost undefinable despite the simple black and white labels that most people and historians have pinned upon him, as we examine his life it can be determined that Rockefeller was neither an evil man nor a good one but someone who lived his life in the grey.
Rockefeller was an industrialist and philanthropist who made his fortune by founding the Standard Oil Company in 1870. Attempting to monopolize the industry and squeeze out the middle man, Rockefeller slowly gained almost complete control of the oil industry. He formed the powerful Standard Oil Trust in 1882, which united all of his companies and secured 95% of oil production in the United States for himself. Rockefeller was an industrialist who stamped out all of his competition with his trust, eventually leading to Congress intervention.
John D. Rockefeller was born on July 8, 1839 in Rickford, New York. He grew up in a very poor family. His father was William Avery Rockefeller. He claimed to be a doctor, who for $25 would cure various diseases. His mother was Eliza Davison Rockefeller. She was the role model who taught Rockefeller his values and morals (Poole). John Rockefeller was the second child. Altogether he had five brothers and sisters (Outman 139). As a child he was very business smart. At the young age of 12 he loaned $50 to a famer. He charged a 7% interest. When he was older he said this about the business deal, “The impression was gaining ground with me that it was a good thing to let money be my servant and not make myself a slave to money” (Poole).
People like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and J.P. Morgan are men who possessed the intellect, the foresight, and most importantly the work ethic to become powerful industrialists. These men displayed their work ethic to the country by being ruthless and tireless. They started something so important that a hundred years later it is still making a huge contribution to our country (Maury Klein pg. 32). What they started was the industrial revolution. Today our country is the most powerful in the world because of our great wealth. This wealth comes from the strength of our industry. “If thou does not sow, thou does not reap”(Hofstadter Recon.-Present Day pg.79). Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Morgan are the epitome of this statement.
Numerous families living in small town America lost their income because of Standard Oil and forced hardship upon many. The legacy of John D. Rockefeller shall always live on as he has permanently shaped how this country looks. He has funded huge advancements in the fields of education and medicine along with starting the events to end lassiez-faire economics. The petroleum industry changed greatly during his career thanks to his research and completely new business methods were thought up of by him, some still in practice today.
The first computer that Jobs and his partner created was very successful and if it weren't for competition that might have been the end of it. Jobs had to continue expanding and coming up with new and more advanced technology in order to beat the competition and stay ahead of the game. Some people may argue that Apple products would continue expanding even if America was under a capitalist system. This is false because if America was under a capitalist system the government regulation would decelerate the progress he was making and Apple may never have reached the potential it has reached today. The power of competition played a key role in the success and development of the innovative company
Jobs had a talent at recognizing other talent. Steve Jobs wasn't a tech person, he didn't know computers, or coding, he knew exactly how to get people to work together and had a vision that no one else had. He got the most value out of people, which speaks for itself. Just look at 2 companies he built... Apple and Pixar
During senior year in high school, Jobs signed up for an electronics class taught by John McCollum. While in the class in 1969, Jobs met a man named Steve Wozniak, a former graduate of McCollum’s class. Like Jobs, Wozniak was a huge electronics “geek” and the two instantly bonded (Romain Moisescot).