To compete with European products during the Industrial Revolution overseas, American products had to offer not only quality and efficiency, but also, they had to look good. As part of the response to this demand for products that were aesthetically pleasing, art was recognized by American schools. Facing a national challenge, leaders and art educators together responded with a rational solution. In 1870, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts first mandated art to be a part of 2general education, and although art has retained its place in schools for over 150 years, for most of its existence it has been on the periphery of major subjects; an “outsider” having to continuously mount a defense for inclusion.