Changes

The industrial revolution was a big change in the economy from farming to manufacturing. It first occurred in England in the late 1700s, and slowly spread to other nations.  Marvelous machines like the steam engine and telegraph were invented.  Pollution was a problem for the first time because of the increase in factories.  England, which had the strongest economy in the world, was the first to undergo the industrial revolution, although some historians cite the iron industry in China under the Song dynasty and the textile industry in India as being forerunners to what happened in England. Regardless, the real industrial revolution began in 1760 in England and then, aided by the economic insights of Adam Smith, England’s economy expanded and its industrial revolution lasted until 1840.

The '''industrial revolution''' was a big change in the economy from farming to manufacturing. It first occurred in [[England]] in the late 1700s, and slowly spread to other nations.  Marvelous machines like the steam engine and telegraph were invented.  [[Pollution]] was a problem for the first time because of the increase in factories.  England, which had the strongest economy in the world, was the first to undergo the industrial revolution, although some historians cite the iron industry in [[China]] under the Song dynasty and the textile industry in India as being forerunners to what happened in England. Regardless, the real industrial revolution began in 1760 in England and then, aided by the economic insights of [[Adam Smith]], England’s economy expanded and its industrial revolution lasted until 1840.

The industrial revolution was headed by the English cotton industry. For centuries this market had been dominated by individuals; cloth would be spun and woven by hand. However, in the 1700’s advances in technology began to drive out the homemade cotton industry. Such machines Richard Arkwright’s water frame spinning machine and Edmund Cartwright’s power loom could make higher quality cloth and sell it for a cheaper price. England’s cotton textile production was boosted beyond any competition.  

The industrial revolution was headed by the English cotton industry. For centuries this market had been dominated by individuals; cloth would be spun and woven by hand. However, in the 1700’s advances in technology began to drive out the homemade cotton industry. Such machines Richard Arkwright’s water frame spinning machine and Edmund Cartwright’s power loom could make higher quality cloth and sell it for a cheaper price. England’s cotton textile production was boosted beyond any competition.  

In the 1760’s James Watt, an engineer from Scotland, created an engine that was powered by steam. Though it was initially used to pump water from mines, the steam engine quickly spread to other industries—ensuring that the industrial revolution would prevail. The spread of the steam engine increased the demand for coal many times. This use of coal contributed to the iron industry.

In the 1760’s [[James Watt]], an engineer from [[Scotland]], created an engine that was powered by steam. Though it was initially used to pump water from mines, the steam engine quickly spread to other industries—ensuring that the industrial revolution would prevail. The spread of the steam engine increased the demand for coal many times. This use of coal contributed to the iron industry.

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.