The class discussions simmer down as Mrs. Gent pulls up a power point on “The Industrial Society.” The talk of the class was on the subject of the era right after the Civil War where industry boomed and expansion rose exponentially.

“How many of you have ever played the game ‘Oregon Trail?’” Gent said.

“I always died at that game!” junior Exzavior Webb said immediately when hands started raising.

“The westward expansion was basically that,” Gent said. “That game was based on the experiences of the travelers.”

As Mrs. Gent talks about factory jobs, the many factories and jobs that were created in result of Industrialization.

“Someone in second block said, and it’s true, that there are factories that make the parts to build factories,” Gent said.

As the class quiets down from the shock that is shown on their faces, Mrs. Gent then moves on to how this was also known as “The Invention Era.”

“By 1900, over 220,000 new patents were applied for,” Gent said. “And all those patents were all different inventions.”

As the power point comes to a close, several discussions among classmates start to arise about what they just learned.  Mrs. Gent closes down the computer and finishes class for the day, while the students go on about either what they happen to do after school, or continue about what was just taught to them.