In the year 1880, significant advancements in technology and culture were taking place. This period marked the height of the Industrial Revolution, which transformed economies from agrarian to industrial. Innovations such as the electric light bulb, invented by Thomas Edison, began to change daily life, making cities brighter and safer at night. Globally, 1880 was also notable for political developments. The Berlin Conference had recently established rules for the colonization of Africa, leading to increased European imperialism. In the United States, the Census recorded a population of over 50 million, reflecting rapid growth and urbanization during this era.