Answer:
Yes
Explanation:
It was used to describe the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of Italin Renasissance and the age of exploration.
One of the advantages was that the old mom & pop stores were no longer practical, because the corporations were more convenient. You didn't have to ride around to go to seven stores anymore, you would just go to the big-block store and get everything you needed there. Furthermore, corporations provided a large amount of unskilled jobs - previously, the largest part of the "American dream" was to go and start your own business, farm, etc., but now you could go get a job at a factory or supermarket, so the job market was diversified. Those are just two, but I'm sure you can think of more!
It's debated; the credit is usually given to either Julia Ward Howe or Anna Jarvis.
Howe was born first, so if you're looking for initial efforts, I would go with her.
Hope this helps!
Apparently, she wrote some dirty jokes in her diary.