Module 3: Industrial Technologies

Industrial Technologies

In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, industrialization accelerated with major technological advancements that transformed production and daily life. Steam power, which had already revolutionized manufacturing, continued to play a crucial role in powering trains and factories, allowing for faster transportation and mass production. The development and spread of the spinning jenny, along with other innovations, greatly increased the efficiency of textile manufacturing. Electrification began to replace steam in many sectors, making it possible to run machines more efficiently and safely. This shift not only boosted productivity but also expanded the range of technology that could be used in industrial settings.

As factories multiplied and machine power replaced traditional hand labor, urbanization surged. People moved from rural areas into growing industrial cities in search of jobs, dramatically changing population patterns. The demand for labor in electrified and steam-powered factories led to crowded urban environments with new social and economic challenges. Trains, powered by steam and later electricity, connected these cities and made the movement of goods and workers faster and more reliable. Overall, industrialization during this period reshaped economies, societies, and the physical landscape of the modern world.