[timeline_event category=”American Architecture” title=”Steel Wire Manufacturing” images=”1894,1185,1043″]John A. Roebling opens his wire rope business in New Jersey. Wire rope and cable are important for future developments in engineering and architecture. These products are needed for elevators in multiple story buildings, suspension bridges, construction (including the Panama Canal), electrical power transmissions and cable cars. By World War I, the factory was the largest wire rope plant in the world.[/timeline_event]