In 1853, at the age of 14 Andrew Carnegie became a messenger boy in the local Pittsburgh Telegraph Office. His abilities were noticed by Thomas A. Scott, the superintendent of the western division of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He made Carnegie his secretary. Later in his life Carnegie invested in several promising ventures including the Woodruff Sleeping Car Company and several small iron mills and factories.He later made similarly small investments in oil during its formative years. Carnegie was appointed a superintendent for the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1859. Carnegie made regular visits to Britain where he observed the rapid developments in the iron industry. Carnegie realised that steel would now replace iron for the manufacture of heavy
goods.
goods.
By the next decade, most of Carnegie's time was dedicated to the steel industry.
His business, the Carnegie Steel Company, revolutionized steel production in the United States. Carnegie built plants around the country, using technology and methods that made manufacturing steel easier, faster, more productive, and much more profitable. By 1889, the Carnegie Steel Corporation was the largest steel making company in the entire world.
His business, the Carnegie Steel Company, revolutionized steel production in the United States. Carnegie built plants around the country, using technology and methods that made manufacturing steel easier, faster, more productive, and much more profitable. By 1889, the Carnegie Steel Corporation was the largest steel making company in the entire world.
Once Carnegie became a very wealthy man, he gave away most of his fortune. He built libraries all over New York, and he also started Carnegie-Mellon University.The next year, he created the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He was devoted to learning and giving others the gift of knowledge. He gave away much more to other charities. By the time he died in 1919 he gave away about $350,000,000.