Industrialism: Inventions

(Technology is equipment or ideas that assist man in overcoming his environment)

During the period known as the Industrial Revolution, we can see four distinct divisions. The first division, from 1730 to 1770 was the period of time when men such as Watt developed the woolen spinner, Kay gave us the flying shuttle, and Hargreaves the spinning jenny, all of which made the work of producing textiles faster and more efficient. It was also during this time period that Watt developed a steam engine which was more efficient and much and safer than the engine developed by Thomas Newcomen in 1705. It is important to note that, at this time, steam power was not put to use in the textile industries. They still relied on water power.

In the second period, extending from 1770 to 1792, the mechanical devices of the previous period were improved upon. The further advances during this time were to aid the cotton industry. Two important mechanical devices developed here were Crompton's spinning mule and later, Cartwright's power loom. The major problem that faced further industrialization at this time was a need to find something powerful enough to drive this new machinery. other than the water wheel which hampered the marketing of the woolen and cotton goods produced. Factories could only exist where there was a constant water supply.

At the onset of the third period, 1792 to 1830, steam power began to be applied to the earlier mechanical devices, making their use more efficient and widespread. In addition to using steam power to operate existing machinery, we see the addition of Whitney's cotton gin, Herrick's dressing machine, and the throttle.

The fourth period, 1830 to the early 1900's saw the further application of steam power to modes of transportation which aided in the marking of the goods produced. As a result of the steam engine trains began to become an integral part of transportation and opened the door for another method of transportation - the automobile. First, you had to control the steam then later came the internal combustion engine which led to a practical automobile.

In addition to these inventions, it should be stressed that Britain was the leader of this period because of the various conditions that existed in the country at the time. These conditions were:

(land, labor, capital the three factors of production)

(1) a large labor force as a result of the shift from agriculture to industry due to advances in agriculture;

(2) a large store of coal and iron ore as well as cotton from their colonies;

(3) wealth which supplied capital for investments to begin new businesses;

(4) entrepreneurs to organize and manage these businesses;

(5) a fleet of merchant ships;

(6) good geographical location with many ports and an excellent internal canal system to ship materials and goods;

(7) overseas colonies with which to trade and to use as sources of raw materials.

Four Stages (begins after the agriculture revolution)

1. water power in the textile industry

2. improved mechanical devices

3. steam power

4. transportation and communication devices invented

Later developments

5. technological advances due to warfare

6. Age of Technology

7. Age of Information

The Effects of Industrial Revolution: Positive and Negative

The Industrial Revolution brought about many wonderful advances during the nineteenth century. Along with the benefits, there were also many years that saw a great deal of misery and suffering among the common people--the very people it was meant to benefit.

In the advent of agricultural advancement, farmers began to be replaced by machines which were able to produce more in less time. This would appear to be beneficial, since the increase in food production meant a better diet for the people, which in turn led to a healthier and larger population. On the other hand, it forced many farmers to move to cities to find work. Since these new urban dwellers had little money, they lived in overcrowded, disease-breeding slums.

In an effort to improve their standard of living, entire families set out to work in the miners and factories. These jobs were held by children as young as eight years old. Men, women, and children alike were subjected to the horrible working conditions for fourteen to sixteen hours a day, six days a week, for a meager salary.

Situations began to improve with the passage of the Factory Act of 1833 which limited the working day for children ages nine to thirteen to no more than eight hours; children ages fourteen to eighteen could work no more than twelve hours. Another measure taken was the Mines Act of 1842 which stated that no women, or boys under the age of thirteen, could work in the mines. As time went on, the Ten Hours Act limited the working day for women and children under eighteen to ten hours. By 1874, this ten-hour work day was extended to all workers.

Workers began to try to improve their working conditions. Until the early 1820s, because of Combination Acts, workers were not allowed to organize unions. These early unions were not very powerful since they couldn't strike picket; but by 1878 they were afforded these privileges.

From all of the ills of this period sprang very positive reforms which made life better for all. Wages increased; goods could be produced in greater quantities. This in turn, lowered the prices of these goods. Thanks to these measures, the standard of living improved for many. Employers began to realize that workers would be more productive if their working conditions were safer and healthier. Governments also stepped in to help protect workers who, because of illness, accident, or old age were unable to work, by providing insurance funds and old age pensions. They also began a system of unemployment insurance for workers who lost jobs as a result of business failure or economic slowdown. Cities also began to improve by providing adequate water and sewage systems, rebuilding old rundown homes, and repairing and widening streets. It can be summarized that in the period from 1750 to 1910 the lives of people had gone through a complete metamorphosis, from a farmer to a slum dweller working fourteen hours a day for next to nothing, to a citizen who was capable of earning a decent living, receiving an education and an assurance that there would be some hope for his old age and a better life for his children.

starts with agriculture revolution

textiles

mechanical devices improved upon

steam power

transportation

communication

interruption of war

Age of Information coupled with the age of invention

how to gather, process information to use to make valid conclusions to improve the quality of life