what can we learn from these men?
John Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Cornelius Vanderbilt are statistically the wealthiest people in American history. The most obvious lesson we can learn form these men is "Hard work and Determination brings Success". All three of these men rose up from humble beginnings and earned their fortune themselves. Their inept talent for business and occasionally ruthless determination wrote their names in our history books and changed our society forever. In our modern 21st century, just as in the 19th century, we are in the flow of great technological advancements. Between 1999 and 2012, the US alone issued a staggering total of 1,866,657 patents (US Patent and Trademark Office Website). While some societal and technological developments fall through, others live on to change the world. In this day and age, as we continue to push industry and technology further and further along, it is important to look back at the great past titans who's initiative and determined attitudes light the spark for society.
A sense of innovation and INGENUITY
As stated before, we are in a time of great technological and industrial stature and advancement. Even though the railroad, oil, and steel industries have drastically changed since the 1800s, we always need to look back and learn from the innovation and ingenuity that shines from the 19th Century Titans of Industry. As humans, we are naturally filled with initiative, but we can often be misdirected in our innovation. By looking at the life example of Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt, we can re-initiate that innovative spark that is naturally found in the human nature. The only way we can thrive as a species in to continue to invent and develop new technology, so to remember our industrial roots in Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt, we can continue our human necessity of development. They've taught us that through hard work and determination we can achieve greatness.
what to do with power
There are also ethical and moral lessons we can learn from the experiences and lives of these men. For one, the strive and desire for power can oftentimes rip apart the very stitches of our humanity. Vanderbilt, his intense desire for power, quite often stained his public image. Because of his ruthless attitude, he made several enemies, and when he died, he donated very little money to help society. This is a good testament to how power and a yearning for power can turn one's life sour. On the other hand, Rockefeller and Carnegie donated much of their fortune to help those who were not as fortunate as they. Today, they are two of two of the most well-known philanthropists in history.
In today's world, we are loosing our sense of humanity and caring less about our fellow man. How often is it that we forget those who need our help, and oftentimes they are sitting right next to us.
In today's world, we are loosing our sense of humanity and caring less about our fellow man. How often is it that we forget those who need our help, and oftentimes they are sitting right next to us.
An important sense of leadership
Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt truly were giants of their time. They took the initiative, worked hard, and reaped the benefits. Its this sense of leadership that moves mountains, and as a result, its this type of leadership that we need more of in the world. All three stepped up and took charge of a business and changed the world, and none stepped down when they faced oppression. They simply buckled down, and made themselves and their business as efficient as possible.
By following the example of Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Vanderbilt, we can move our 21st century society just as they moved their 19th century society.