Hog Butcher of the World (Chicago Meatpacking Industry)
- Date Range
- 1893 – 1933
- Title
- Hog Butcher of the World (Chicago Meatpacking Industry)
- What occurred
- With the rise of meatpacking, Chicago quickly came to the forefront in terms of the major meatpacking industry. Chicago was a perfect place for the meatpacking industry because of its central location and easy access to other major cities through the train systems going through the city. Three major companies took over the industry, Nelson Morris created the Union Stockyards (a major meatpacking plant), Philip Armour, whose system was an inspiration for Ford’s assembly line, and Gustavus Swift, who invented the refrigerated railcar. Each of these inventions or innovations paved the way for Chicago to take over the meatpacking industry. They processed more than 13 million livestock a year in the years leading up to the depression. Not only did this revolutionize the meatpacking industry it also created a lot of jobs. This all relates back to the environmental history aspect because of how harmful the rapid growth of the meatpacking industry was for the way we consume meat.
- Location
- W Exchange Ave &, S Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60609
- Image Citation
- "When Chicago was 'Hog Butcher to the World'
- Student name(s)
- Olivia Bruursema