What Types of Power Were Most Productive in 1850: A Regression Analysis
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Publication Date
4-17-2026
Keywords
fsc2026
Abstract
The U.S. economy in the 1850s was beginning to industrialize, with manufacturing expanding alongside new technologies. A key change was the shift from hand and water power to steam power, which allowed factories to increase scale and operate more flexibly.
Our analysis uses the 1850 Census of Manufactures to examine how different power types affected production value, helping us understand the role of technology in early industrial growth.
In todays world we are arguably experiencing another revolution with artificial intelligence. Changes in technology will always be relevant to production value just like they were in 1850.
This analysis will explore the effect power type has on total production value.
Publication Information
Gallivan, Jackson; Miller, Alex; and Chang, Jinyan, "What Types of Power Were Most Productive in 1850: A Regression Analysis" (2026). Fisher Showcase 2026. Paper 32.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/fsc2026/32
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Comments
Student poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026
Econ 314 Class Project: Inside the 1850 Factories: An Empirical Group Project of U.S. Manufacturing by Econ 314 Class (Group 10)