The rags-to-riches journey begins

Born in Scotland in 1835, Andrew Carnegie's journey from poverty to power began when his family migrated to America in search of a better life.

Image source: Theodore C. Marceau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A new beginning in America

Arriving in Pittsburgh in 1848, young Andrew worked in a cotton mill to support his struggling family, earning just $1.20 a week.

Image source: By E.L. Hoskyn - Plate from More Pictures of British History, London, 1914, p.61. Publisher: London. Adam and Charles Black. 1914, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Climbing the ladder at Pennsylvania Railroad

A job as a telegraph messenger led Carnegie to Thomas Scott, a railroad executive, who became his mentor and changed his life forever.

Image source: By Bernini123 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Investing in the future

Learning about iron and railroad expansion, Carnegie started making strategic investments that set the foundation for his steel empire.

Image source: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

The birth of Carnegie Steel

Recognizing the potential of steel, Carnegie invested in the Bessemer process and built one of America’s most advanced steel mills.

Image source: By Alfred T. Palmer - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID fsac.1a35057.This tag does not indicate the

Building America’s first steel bridge

Carnegie revolutionized bridge-building by replacing iron with steel, constructing the famous Eads Bridge across the Mississippi River.

Image source: By Mitchell Schultheis - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

The rise of a steel empire

Carnegie Steel dominated the industry, using efficiency, cost-cutting, and technology to outcompete rivals.

Image source: By taken by David Rochberg - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org

The cost of efficiency

To maximize profits, Carnegie imposed long working hours and low wages, leading to dangerous conditions for steelworkers.

Image source: Collectie Wereldmuseum (v/h Tropenmuseum), part of the National Museum of World Cultures, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rivalry with Rockefeller

As Carnegie built his empire, he faced fierce competition from oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, leading to intense business battles.

Image source: By Published by Scientific American Compiling Dep't, New York. 1907. - https://resource.rockarch.org/story/sour-milk-preventing-infant-mortality-with-public-health-rockefeller-institute-

A controversial partnership

Carnegie partnered with Henry Frick, a ruthless businessman, leading to labor disputes and violent worker strikes.

Image source: By Bain News Service - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs divisionunder the digital ID ggbain.07131.This tag does not indicate th

Selling it all to J.P. Morgan

Carnegie sold his steel empire to J.P. Morgan for $480 million, creating U.S. Steel, the world's first billion-dollar company.

Image source: By Fedor Encke (1851-1926) - http://www.askart.com/artist/Fedor_Encke/103063/Fedor_Encke.aspx, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org

A legacy of philanthropy

Carnegie spent his later years giving away his fortune, funding libraries, universities, and charities worldwide.

Image source: By Shizzy9989 (talk) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Thank you for reading!

We appreciate your time and interest.
To explore more, check out the full article using the links below:

Read full article

Image source: Theodore C. Marceau, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons