The city represents Lewis's view of the new, modern, industrial America.

For more than a century Rochester was to industrial America what Silicon Valley is to the digital age.

But slowly our blind devotion to industrial America began to give way to a growing sense of the new economy.

New York City, once a leading light of industrial America, has lost half the manufacturing jobs it had in 1947.

The iron and steel industry developed rapidly after 1830 and became one of the dominant factors in industrial America by the 1860s.

Even with the changes, the Dow still reflects industrial America.

Economic historians say that industrial America through the 1800's and early 1900's experienced a growing concentration of riches at the top.

The concept of agile manufacturing has been taking shape in industrial America as companies struggle to compete with foreign producers, particularly in areas like electronics.

"We are ready to help in any way to reduce its adverse impact on industrial America," Mr. Wagoner said.

THIS is where industrial America was born and where a good chunk of it has died.