Which of the following was NOT a key figure in the Industrial Revolution?

The correct answer is that Albert Einstein was not a key figure in the Industrial Revolution. While Einstein made significant contributions to physics and the understanding of the universe, including theories of relativity, his work was primarily in the early 20th century, well after the main period of the Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late 18th to the early 19th centuries.

In contrast, the other individuals listed played pivotal roles during the Industrial Revolution. John D. Rockefeller was instrumental in the oil industry and the development of corporate practices that emerged during this period. Cyrus McCormick innovated agricultural practices with the mechanical reaper, greatly impacting farming efficiency and productivity. J.P. Morgan was a powerful banker and financier whose investments helped facilitate the growth of major industries, including steel and railroads, which were foundational to the Industrial Revolution.