Who invented the cigarette-rolling machine capable of producing 120 cigarettes in 10 hours?

• A. James A. Bonsack
• B. Charles Schwab
• C. Henry W. Grady
• D. Oakes Ames

Answer: (A)

The invention of the cigarette-rolling machine by James A. Bonsack revolutionized the tobacco industry. His machine was capable of producing an impressive quantity of cigarettes—up to 120 cigarettes in just 10 hours. This innovation significantly increased productivity and lowered production costs, allowing tobacco companies to meet growing demand in an era when smoking was becoming increasingly popular.

Bonsack’s machine not only enhanced efficiency but also contributed to the mass production of cigarettes, leading to a broader market expansion and the rise of companies that could leverage this technology effectively. His contribution is crucial in understanding the evolution of the tobacco industry in the context of New South industrialization and labor dynamics.