Inventions of the 1880's
Many new inventions were developed during the 1880's. Life was becoming much easier because of this, and they were helping the United States to grow and develop. Some of the inventions that were created were the seismograph, metal detector, cash register, and Coca Cola. These seem like simple things right now, but back they weren't. Some of those inventions also changed life today because if they had never been invented, some of the things we have now would not even exist.
John Milne was who invented the seismograph. He also stated to promote building seismological stations. The seismograph was used with earthquakes. Even though the Richter scale had already been developed,
the seismograph was actually something physical that could trace earthquakes. Seismographs work because when an earthquake occurs it traces lines which determine how strong, where and when the earthquake was. This was an important discovery because it gave us one more thing to study about and become experts at. The seismograph was later made even better after WW2.
Alexander Graham Bell created the first metal detector in 1881. President Garfield had been assassinated so this made security want to rise up. Metal detectors were a good way to keep weapons a little more away from someone getting hurt. With the metal detectors there was more safety. That was because now anytime you would go somewhere that was really important to the government, you would have to pass through metal detectors. They would detect anything that they felt was metal because it would be able to be used as a weapon. Metal detectors were a pretty good invention at these times. It increased safety and made the country more alert on to what was happening around them.
James Ritty and John Birch invented the first mechanical cash register. Cash registers were already working but they made them even better. Cash registers were a great innovation at this time because it was "The Rise of Big Business." Money was been used a lot, and there was a need to keeping everything looking straight and on track. Business prospered from the cash register because it was now easier for them to be organized. Cash registers improved business and also the technology of the United States.
Coca Cola was also invented in the 1880's. Coke was invented by Doctor John Pemberton. He was 
a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. He started this drink in studies that he conducted in his backyard. Coca Cola was first sold to the people in May 8, 1886 at his pharmacy. The first year that he sold it, he ended up losing. That is because it took him $70 that year to produce it, and he only made $50 the whole year. Coca Cola, as time passed, became more and more attracted to the people. It became a great hit when it started to contain caffeine and cocaine in it. Today it doesn't contain cocaine in it but back in the 1880's it did. Coca Cola has gone a long way and has really made something different in the United States. It's one of the most popular drinks served today.
The 1880's was "The Rise of Big Business". Technology also rose and made the life of most Americans easier. Machines that had already been made were been made even better. Those inventions made during this period are still around and have also been made even better. But if we hadn't had them made back then, we wouldn't even have them right now. The 1880's is a great part in American history.
Sources-
Have a Coke, Coca-Cola Trademark, All Posters
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/RIC/2300-8347~Coca-Cola-Have-a-Coke-Posters.jpg
Seismograph, Leo Lehigh
http://www.leo.lehigh.edu/projects/seismic/graphics/seismograph2.gif
We Serve Coca Cola, Coca-Cola Trademark, Antiques
http://www.antiquetrader.com/mark/content/binary/CocaCola1.jpg