Summary
In the past centuries, most of the labor was provided manually by human beings in all types of industries, such as textile and transportation. The activities were slow and required a high number of workers to contribute towards a significant output. The need to meet people’s demand for the products and movement prompted the search to find a solution. This resulted in the industrial revolution, where the production process changed from traditional to manufacturing. A subtle development significantly aided the process and changes in the level of technology. The invention and application of different techs in the manufacturing industry led to a massive increase in the rate of production and improvement in distribution. It also fostered the development of farming, communication, and people’s safety. The research will focus on how technological changes increased production by facilitating movement and communication, which influenced the industrial revolution.
Newcomen’s Steam Engine
The flooding impacted the mining industry, which made the extraction of minerals challenging. As the mines continued to get deeper, it became a challenge for miners to access the materials following the presence of water that threatened their lives. The manual techniques used by workers to pump water out were slow, tiresome, and expensive. This prompted the search into the possibility of finding a convenient way of removing the liquid from the sites.
A scientist called Newcomen invented a steam engine in 1712. The system used a vacuum developed by condensed steam to pump water from the deep mines. The engine became successful and significant in helping to drain water from greater depths (Xu et al. 2950). Therefore, it was easier to access most of the valuable minerals located underground. The invention proved to be cheaper for miners than the use of horses to remove water, and thus it led to the expansion of the mining industry.
Spinning Mule
A spinning mule is a machine that was used to spin a large number of spools of thread at the same time. Samuel Crompton developed the technology in 1779 in England. It was applied by the textile industry to revolutionize the production process by raising the amount of cotton spun at a given time. Before the invention of the machine, yarns and threads were made by a human, which resulted in a reduced work rate as they could make one every time. After the development of spinning mules, cotton manufacturers were relieved from relying on individual efforts that were expensive. Furthermore, they did not need more people to create spindles coiled with threads because only one person was enough to use the machine to make several bars at once. The technology further incorporated the techs of spinning jenny and spinning frame to enhance its productivity through producing different quality products.
The technology advanced the manufacturing process by increasing the rate of producing yarns and threads ready for knitting. It also lowered the cost of producing the materials due to the reduced number of labor requirements (Stearns 159). It became essential to the industry as similar versions were created to increase the process making it be mechanized and improved. The development changed the spinning industry from a cottage to a more developed manufacturing system.
Flying Shuttle
The growth in the textile industry called for various methods that could improve efficiency and productivity in the sector. John Kay, an English inventor, developed the weaving machine that helped in the manufacturing of clothes. The flying shuttle was significant as it lowered the labor requirement, making the process cost-effective (Gold 31). Before the invention, the industry required at least two weavers to perform the woven activity. The individuals were responsible for passing the shuttle repeatedly back and forth between them to facilitate the process.
After the invention, the flying shuttle used wheels on a track and paddles to push it from one side to the other. The advancement reduced the number of needed workers to one and increased the speed of production. John Kay then agreed to sell his patent right to France, which also used the technology to mechanize its manufacturing process. The development made the textile industry grow significantly across Europe and other parts of the world.
Cotton Gin
Cotton gin technology was invented in 1793 by Eli Whitney, an American inventor. The machine was used to remove and separate cotton fibers from the seeds. During the manufacturing process before the invention of the cotton gin, the seeds were cleaned from the raw threads manually, which made the whole process slow (Gold 31). The device helped to remove the seeds by passing the raw fibers through wire teeth placed on a cylinder that revolves. It was made up of narrow slots made of iron that could not allow the seeds to pass through with the yarn. The machine was simple and could be powered by humans, animals or water. It was quick and efficient compared to the manual removal of the seeds.
The device improved the production of cotton in the USA and other parts of the world. The demand for cotton gin also increased in the south, expanding the textile industry’s manufacturing process (Gold 31). The advancement led to booming market demand for labor that would help pick cotton from the firms for processing. The invention made cotton a profitable product which attracted many people to grow it.
Steam Engine Locomotive
The invention of the steam engine locomotive was vital in advancing the industrial revolution. The increase in demand for raw materials and finished products required faster transportation to bridge the gap. It facilitated easy travel of people and goods from one point to another. Most farmers relied on the railroads for transporting their commodities to the market. The quick shipment made it possible for the goods to reach consumers before spoilage.
The machines were essential for transporting coal from the mines. They used wood as a source of fuel which was later replaced by coal fire the steam engines. This led to the growth of coal mines, and many individuals secured job opportunities leading to the massive advancement of the industry. The transport development also influenced the steel industry’s rapid growth since most of the products were used to establish the railroads (Gifford 122). The sector also realized a progressive advancement in employment and overall expansion following the increased demand for the materials. The invention became significant in creating room for other improvements that facilitated the industrial revolution.
Telephone
In 1876, a significant technological invention was made, when Alexander Graham Bell developed the telephone. With the increasing need to pass a message from one location to another, technology served an essential role in facilitating the process. Before the inception, people had to travel a long distance back and forth to communicate, which was expensive and tiresome (Pozdnyakova et al. 2019). The invention of the telephone made communication very simple since individuals could easily talk to each other irrespective of geographical distance. The technology promoted business as business people could transact and order products without traveling to the place of trade. Telephone enhanced communication channels which increased trade activities.
Ice Box
Perishable goods were a problem for most farmers, who frequently incurred losses. Some of the products could not stay long before reaching the market; thus, their production was limited due to fear of decay. A scientist, Thomas Moore, invented a wooden icebox lined with materials that acted as insulators, such as zinc. A huge block of ice was then placed on top of the object to provide a favorable condition to keep the food products for a longer duration. The technology made it possible for most farmers to produce and sell products when they are still fresh without fearing spoilage. The invention increased the production process of such commodities and enhanced trade among people.
Electricity
The invention of electricity became groundbreaking in the industrial revolution. Prior to the discovery and creation of the technology, the chief sources of power for industries were water and wind. The energy provided was not significant, and they could not manage to operate large and complex machines efficiently. The invention made it possible to produce a large amount of power that can be used for different purposes within the industries (Popkova et al. 25). First, the development of electric bulbs facilitated the process of production by allowing workers to work even at night which increased the overall output of the firms. Second, it promoted the decentralization of companies to different places because industries no longer depended on water to provide power. This made it possible to establish many entities across the country, enhancing factories’ growth.
Telegraph
The invention of the telegraph significantly impacted the industrial revolution. Technology revolutionized communication and made the passage of messages over distant locations simple and affordable. The machine was used to transmit coded electric information through a wire connected to two points. The development facilitated the growth in financial markets railroads and a significant reduction in the cost of communication between organizations (Pozdnyakova et al. 15). It made the channel of passing information reliable and safe for business purposes. Through technology, people minimized constant travel to acquire details from different locations because they could send electric signals and wait for feedback from the recipient. Telegraph accelerated the roles of various professionals in the economy, such as brokers and bankers.
Power Loom
Edmund Cartwright invented the power loom machine in 1785 to replace the flying shuttle technology that was being used in the cotton industry. The device was mechanized to use water power to accelerate the speed of weaving (Gold 31). The technology increased the production pace, which made the sector more productive. It made the process efficient by lowering the effort required to make clothing.
Incandescent Light Bulb
Incandescent light bulb technology played an essential part in the industrial revolution. As the demand for products increased in the markets, factories were required to improve the working hours, which extended to late nights. With the invention in place, people could easily continue their duties because they had enough brightness to see what they were doing. The technology was consuming less energy which made it efficient for use. An increased production process led to more advancement in the manufacturing sector.
Model T
Automobile technology was invented by Henry Ford around 1908. The invention facilitated the possibility of using a motor as a means of transport from one place to another because of its affordability. Model T enhanced mobility by bringing into the market machines that people could afford to purchase (Skilton and Hovsepian 25). The creation of moving assembly influenced the massive production of modernized cars. Through this breakthrough, the machine age emerged, which made Ford further lower the market price of the vehicles. The movement of people has become easier and safer across countries.
In summary, various technological changes in the past centuries increased the industrial revolution process. The invention of Newcomen’s Steam Engine facilitated mining activities by enabling miners to efficiently pump water out of the mines. Cotton gin improved the textile industry by lowering the labor required to remove seeds from the raw fibers. It, therefore, improved the production of clothing in the industry. Similarly, the creation of steam engine locomotives played a vital role in promoting the movement of people and goods from one place to another. The tech made it easier for producers to access markets and factories to transport inputs to the production sites. The discovery of the telephone and telegraph significantly facilitated the industrial revolution. The technologies made communication more accessible, thus reducing the cost of passing information over long distances simple. Business operations were easily conducted because individuals could enquire about details by sending electric signals. Lastly, the Model T automobile’s development enhanced humans’ mobility, which encouraged trading activities. The increased manufacturing of motors prompted modernization and entry into the machine age.
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