topic: technology & american cultural diffusion lesson plan

Topic: Technology & American Cultural Diffusion (as seen in Vermont Historic Newspapers)

Lesson for Grades 9-10 (Could be tailored for Grades 4-16)

Students will know and understand: Some examples of historical technological

developments and how those new technologies may have impacted the cultural landscape of the

country. As well, students should understand how technology has changed over time, and that past

technological developments and inventions caused shifts in the diffusion of American culture.

Activity: Have students read and research inventions in historic newspapers from Chronicling

America (chroniclingamerica.loc.gov). For keyword/search strategy advice, visit our webpage for

educators: http://library.uvm.edu/vtnp/?page_id=1904. Contemporary articles, advertisements, and

images will all be helpful in framing student understanding of the invention and its impact on American

culture. Use these guiding questions to help frame their research: What was the invention? Why is it

important? How was it an improvement? How might it have changed American culture? How was the

technology being used to spread news and cultural ideas to Americans? Did this invention impact life

today in any way? Have students create a presentation on the technology. Examples of communications

developments as printed in newspapers are listed below. This project could be tailored to a specific

inventor or invention or a specific topic, such as entertainment or communication.

Standards Addressed:

Vermont History and Social Studies Standards:

Movement and Settlements:

6.8. cc. Example how technology affects the diffusion of culture (e.g. mass media,

transportation, networks).

Common Core: English Language Arts Standards » History/Social Studies » Grade 9-10

Key Ideas and Details

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or

secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the

course of the text.

Potential Research Topics & Keywords:

TELEGRAPH (ELECTRICAL TELEGRAPH, ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH, TELEGRAM, MORSE TELEGRAPH)

PHONOGRAPH (EDISON PHONOGRAPH)

RADIO (WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY, RADIOTELEGRAPH, RADIO TELEGRAM)

MOVIES (MOVING PICTURES, MOTION PICTURE, FILM, KINETOSCOPE, PHOTOPLAY)

TELEPHONE (SPEAKING TELEGRAPH, SOUND TELEGRAPH, ACOUSTIC TELEGRAPHY)

PRINTING PRESS

TRANSPORTATION: RAILROAD, AUTOMOBILE

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

http://library.uvm.edu/vtnp/?page_id=1904

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/9-10/2/

Example Articles/Advertisements and Links to Chronicling America

Telegraph:

“Wonders of the Magnetic Telegraph,” Vermont phœnix., July 09, 1846, Image 1:

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn98060050/1846-07-09/ed-1/seq-1

“By Telegraph to the Freeman,” [Example of how telegraphs & newspapers worked to bring the

latest news] The Daily Green Mountain freeman., June 03, 1863, Evening Edition, Image 4:


“Samuel F.B. Morse,” Lamoille newsdealer. June 28, 1871, Image 1:

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84023428/1871-06-28/ed-1/seq-1/

“The ‘Typo-Telegraph.’” Middlebury register., November 26, 1886, , Image 2:


Film:

“The Movies to Rival Newspapers as Organs of Publicity,” The day book., May 20, 1914, LAST

EDITION, Image 1: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045487/1914-05-20/ed-2/seq-

1/

“The Greatness of the Moving Picture Recognized at Last,” [Advertisement] St. Johnsbury

Caledonian. February 19, 1913, Carnival Edition, Page 10, Image 2:


“Grand Opera by Wireless,” Burlington weekly free press., November 18, 1920, Image 11:


“In White Plague Fight: Moving Picture Theatres All Over Country are Enlisted,” The Bennington

evening banner., December 17, 1910, Image 3:


“Starts Picture Show: Uncle Sam to Exhibit Nation’s Activities,” St. Johnsbury Caledonian.

volume, December 25, 1912, Page 5, Image 5:


“News of Photplays and Photoplayers,” Burlington weekly free press., October 09, 1913, Image

15: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86072143/1913-10-09/ed-1/seq-15/

Telephone:

“Boston calls San Francisco: Direct Telephone Line Open Across the Continent.” Essex County

herald., February 05, 1915, Image 5:


“Rural Telephone Service,” [Advertisement] Essex County herald., May 16, 1913, Image 1


“The Telephone and Its Growth in this Section,” The Bennington evening banner., November

01, 1921, Industrial Bennington, First Section, Page EIGHT, Image 16:










http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95066012/1910-12-17/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1836&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=Moving+Picture+picture&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=6&state=Vermont&date2=1922&proxtext=moving+picture&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84023253/1912-12-25/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=1836&sort=relevance&rows=20&words=moving+picture+pictures&searchType=basic&sequence=0&index=14&state=Vermont&date2=1922&proxtext=moving+picture&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=2





Phonograph:

“The Phonograph: What Mr. Edison says of His Invention,” St. Johnsbury Caledonian. volume,

November 10, 1887, Image 2: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84023253/1887-11-

10/ed-1/seq-2/

“The Phonograph: Some Facts about Inventor Edison’s Talking Machine,” News and citizen.,

January 10, 1889, Image 1: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn97067613/1889-01-

10/ed-1/seq-1/

“The Edison Phonograph,” [Advertisement] The commoner., December 25, 1908, Page 16,

Image 16: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/46032385/1908-12-25/ed-1/seq-16/

Printing Press:

“Tutors of Nations,” The United opinion., March 27, 1896, Image 6:


“Oldest Printing Press,” The Bennington evening banner., January 05, 1916, Image 4:


“Local Paper as Home Champion,” The Bennington evening banner., May 03, 1916, Image 3:


“New Equipment,” St. Johnsbury Caledonian. volume, May 22, 1912, Image 1:


Radio:

“Radio: Everybody’s Doin’ it,” The Washington herald., April 09, 1922, Sunday Edition, Image


“Radio: Things Beginners Must Learn First,” Essex County herald., May 18, 1922, Image 3:


“Our Wireless Towers,” Burlington weekly free press., May 17, 1917, Image 11:


“Radio Craze Seems to have Hit Limit,” The Bennington evening banner., July 12, 1922, Image


“Wireless phone Airplane Guide,” The Bennington evening banner., December 16, 1920, Page

PAGE TWO, Image 2: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95066012/1920-12-16/ed-

1/seq-2/

“Powerful Wireless; Powerful Message,” Essex County herald., December 08, 1921, Image 6:






http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/46032385/1908-12-25/ed-1/seq-16/












topic: technology & american cultural diffusion lesson plan

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