<P> By the late 19th century, Ohio had become a global industrial center . Natural resources contributed to the industrial growth, including salt, iron ore, timber, limestone, coal, natural gas, and the discovery of oil in northwestern Ohio led to the growth of the port of Toledo . By 1908, the state had 9,581 miles of railroad linking coal mines, oil fields, and industries with the world . Commercial enterprise began to prosper around towns with banks . </P> <P> William Procter and James Gamble started a company which produced a high quality, inexpensive soap called Ivory, which is still the best known product today of Procter and Gamble . Michael Joseph Owens invented the first semi-automatic glass - blowing machine while working for the Toledo Glass Company . The company was owned by Edward Libbey, and together the pair would form companies which ultimately became known as Owens - Illinois and Owens Corning . </P> <P> Wilbur and Orville Wright invented the first airplane in Dayton . </P> <P> Charles Kettering invented the first automatic starter for automobiles, and was the co-founder of Delco Electronics, today part of Delphi Corporation . The Battelle Memorial Institute perfected xerography, resulting in the company Xerox . At Cincinnati's Children's Hospital, Albert Sabin developed the first oral polio vaccine, which was administered throughout the world . </P>

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