Eight Values Blog Post

 

Insperity

Promoting Innovation

Among all of the Eight Values of Free Expression, I believe that Promoting Innovation has been and will be the most important factor in developing the United States as a nation. Innovation can come in various forms, from something as simple as creating a new flavor of OREO to creating a new rocket for NASA to take to the moon. Since the birth of the U.S., innovation has paved the way for so many unique ideas and systems, and society as we know it today would be drastically different had we not taken risks in modernization over the last 250 years.

Early Days

Not long after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the new founders of America wasted no time developing various aspects of society. Inventions like the cotton gin and the telegraph were vital to the early-stage development of American culture. These inventions provided a foundation to show that America could thrive and develop on its own, and had the goal of growing each and every year exponentially. Then came the development of canals and railroads, which changed the course of transportation and the distance that people had to cover in this new country. From there, places that fostered the growth of the mind were established, as institutions for science and universities started to become a main component of society.

Industrialization

New York Times

The industrialization boom hit America fast and hard. From the development of railroads and textile mills to the production of steel and oil companies, there was no stopping the innovation and development once it hit the ground running in the USA. Innovation was always the key form of development for society, and the U.S. took full advantage of this concept when trying to become a world power.

Wars

It was no secret that if a country develops as rapidly as the U.S. did in a compressed time period of about 150 years, there was going to be war. The U.S. had built itself up enough to become a world power, and while it still wanted to expand and grow internally, it also knew that it had the power and respect to be a main contributor to world wars. Although the U.S. participated in World War 1, it wasn't really until the attack on Pearl Harbor that the U.S. got its foot in the door. This attack sparked outrage across the nation and prompted the U.S. to not just join, but become a crucial part of the victory in WWII. This not only put the U.S. on the global map, but also led to the globalization of its society and cultural norms

Transition to Present Day

Time

WWII was a launching pad for what the U.S. is known for today, both internally and externally. The Cold War followed next, and the development of technology for the space race and other wartime activities prompted a focus on technology in the nation that is still ever-growing today. From airplanes to cars and computers and phones, the last 50 years in America have seen an astounding amount of growth that has essentially separated the U.S. from every other country. In today's age, America has a diverse society with people who possess all different skill sets. Some are experts in politics and government, while some are gifted athletically, and some are smart financially. The U.S. has so many different parts of society that have all come together over the last 250 years to create a force to be reckoned with.

Why Innovation?

Overall, innovation has always been a driving force behind the development of society in America. Without the various elements of society that have resulted from innovation, the U.S. would not still be a nation today. From the early beginnings when a few founding fathers decided to create a new country, to the present day, where 340 million people coexist under one nation, America has and will thrive off of innovation for years to come.