[runako]

Worth noting that the period you indicate is a an example of an America largely deploying inventions from the UK (e.g. the steam engine, steam locomotive, etc.).

The latter part of the 20th century and first part of this century is a story more of the US driving invention and deploying those inventions.

The techniques needed to go from lesser power to leading power are different from those needed to advance as a leading power. For Lebron to stay on top, he has to do different things than any of us would need to do to get into the NBA.

Different circumstances & different goals require different strategies.