Defining industrial revolution essays

Defining industrial revolution essays The industrial revolution (IR) was a name given to a dynamic period in history during the mid 18th-19th century in Britain during which time considerable changes were introduced. For example, this period marked the introduction of both steam power and new automated machinery that modernised the manufacturer and transport of produce for local and international trade. The cotton industry provided an early example of the introduced changes and improvements. For example, machinery such as the flying shuttle doubled the rate of cotton production which in turn lowered the costs of cotton production. Such productivity made previously higher cost products available to poorer members of society. The speed at which new inventions were generated and successfully introduced and the improving effect they had on industry were apparent. The period of time was noted for the increased numbers of patents and acts and expanding figures for both output and exports. However, irrespective of the many changes introduced during this period of time historians would find it difficult to define the term IR because industry is ongoing and always changing. To date Historians still dispute the actual time frame given for the IR in Britain. For example, in the late 17th century industrial changes were already apparent in the formation of proto-industry and after the time frame cited for the end of IR continuing progress and advances in industrialization were ongoing. The term IR may also present further confusions for historians. The term industrial means to manufacture or develop a product usually for the purpose of financial gain (profit). This could be achieved by the trade of natural products in agriculture or by the sale of manufactured products in business. The word revolution defines rebellion, transformation or rotation. For example, rotation can be seen as a form of change or turn around. Therefore the term IR implies one great event, wh ...