Changes

Throughout the middle ages iron was smelted using charcoal, however in the eighteenth century, new methods of iron production were discovered; the resulting iron was of higher quality than ever before. These advances, such as the process developed by Henry Cort in 1780’s, greatly encouraged the use of machinery in other industries.  

Throughout the middle ages iron was smelted using charcoal, however in the eighteenth century, new methods of iron production were discovered; the resulting iron was of higher quality than ever before. These advances, such as the process developed by Henry Cort in 1780’s, greatly encouraged the use of machinery in other industries.  

The growth of industry soon brought to light the need for a better system of transportation. While canals and roads did improve, they were soon overshadowed by a means of transportation that held great promise: the railroads. The railroads may have been that most important factor of the industrial revolution. Railways had existed as early as 1500, but in 1700s the primitive wooden rails were replaced with wrought iron. These new rails enabled horses to pull even heavier loads with relative ease. But dependence on horsepower did not last for long. In 1804 the first steam-powered locomotive pulled 10 tons of ore and 70 people at 5 miles per hour. This new technology improved dramatically; in twenty locomotives reached speeds of twenty miles per hour! While the railroads revolutionized transportation, they further contributed to the growth of the industrial revolution by causing a great increase in the demand for iron and coal.  

The growth of industry soon brought to light the need for a better system of transportation. While canals and roads did improve, they were soon overshadowed by a means of transportation that held great promise: the railroads. The railroads may have been that most important factor of the industrial revolution. Railways had existed as early as 1500, but in 1700s the primitive wooden rails were replaced with wrought iron. These new rails enabled horses to pull even heavier loads with relative ease. But dependence on horsepower did not last for long. In 1804 the first steam-powered locomotive pulled 10 tons of ore and 70 people at 5 miles per hour. This new technology improved dramatically; in twenty locomotives reached speeds of 50 miles per hour! While the railroads revolutionized transportation, they further contributed to the growth of the industrial revolution by causing a great increase in the demand for iron and coal.  

During the industrial revolution, advances in technology enabled factories to produce their goods without as many laborers. Unfortunately, this decrease in demand for workers made for terrible working conditions; factory owners could afford to only hire those willing to work the longest hours at for least pay. Child labor was common. It is this that causes many people to hail the industrial revolution as a great evil. At any rate, it did contribute to the child labor laws and minimum wage that we see today.  

During the industrial revolution, advances in technology enabled factories to produce their goods without as many laborers. Unfortunately, this decrease in demand for workers made for terrible working conditions; factory owners could afford to only hire those willing to work the longest hours at for least pay. Child labor was common. It is this that causes many people to hail the industrial revolution as a great evil. At any rate, it did contribute to the child labor laws and minimum wage that we see today.