The Erie Canal: Pioneering America's Canal Revolution and Fuelling Economic Growth

Back in the late 18th century, it was nearly impossible to find investors to build canals in America. 🚢 🌊

The few miles of canals that already existed at that time weren't successful. But then came the Erie Canal, which launched the USA into a great canal age and helped grow the national market economy. Crazy to think there aren't any photos of its construction, only this lovely drawing. 📜

American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton 👷 successfully pitched the project to George Washington: "By this means in about 10 years they would touch the Susquehanna […], continuing this till in about 20 years the Canal would run into Lake Erie, Yielding a produce of 100,000 per annum or 50 thousand £ to Subscribers which is 40 per cent.; hence the Inducement to subscribe to such undertakings."

The workers who built and managers who supervised the Erie Canal are true American heroes. They faced many challenges, but they never gave up. Remarkable work management and planning, especially two centuries before asset and work management SaaS platforms had yet to be developed. Employee hard work and dedication helped to build a better future for the United States.

The canal was authorized in 1817 and the rest is history!