Many European settlers were interested in the fur trade. The French settlers started participating in the trade when they arrived in the New World, in the 16th century.
The Dutch also started trading fur with the Indians in 1609 and founded New Amsterdam, where New York City is now located.
The British also developed fur trading posts on the Hudson Bay, now that is located in Canada territory, but the British focused more on spreading settlers and colonies and not developing a fur trading.
Answer: The telegraph made communication much easier, the railroad made transportation of goods and people quicker and easier. The sewing machine made life on the plains easier.
