The Age of Mechanization

The Industrial Revolution

During the Industrial Revolution (1750-1850), society experienced a transition to a machine-based industry. The textile industry began moving towards a "mechanized" method of manufacturing, and this was combined with an increased ability to produce iron and coal. Railways expanded rapidly, roads were further developed, and steam was used as the power for many machine tools. Trade opened up further as society took its focus from an agriculture-based economy to machine-based. More factories were built and more products were made at a faster rate. A higher number of jobs were available in established factories, and people moved from the country side, which increased city populations. The Industrial Revolution was a time of major transformations in the way people lived their day-to-day lives.

Steam power ran the Industrial Revolution through a variety of methods, but especially with the steam engine, such as the Watt Steam Engine. Factories could be located anywhere and run off of steam power. Machine tools such as lathes, saws, shovels, and mills ran on steam. In addition, steam was also used for trains, boats, and vehicles. Even though steam was far from a new discovery, it was heavily utilized to recast society. People went from using animals, manual labor, and natural energy sources (wind, water, wood) to using steam engines to complete many of their tasks such as grinding, lifting, and moving.

A major change that occurred during the Industrial Revolution was interchangeable parts. Before this, components of a tool were specific and custom to that tool without being able to be replaced unless done so by a professional. One of the earliest mass production products using interchangeable parts was the "sailing block" in 1803. Within five years the Portsmouth Dockyard was producing blocks at an annual rate of 130,000. Firearms also benefited greatly from interchangeable parts. Before interchangeable parts, when one component of a firearm malfunctioned, it would have to be sent off to an expert for repair. The government took notice of the benefit of interchangeable parts, when Eli Whitney, in front of Congress, took the parts of ten firearms, all with the same part measurements, and mixed them into a pile only to then reassemble them. Interchangeable parts positively affected the economy by making it more cost effective to fix complex machines. Mass production of interchangeable parts that could be assembled into tools or machines lead to the revolutionary development of assembly lines.

Machines as a Driving Force

While steam and interchangeable parts were major components of the Industrial Revolution, the tools used were also unique and vital to this transition. Machine tools became bigger, stronger, and more efficient. Fuel for the machines went from wood to coal, and this was an example of increased fossil fuel use. People took advantage of coal to produce steam through steam engines and applied this technology in such areas as mining as well as others. Steam engines allowed miners to remove water more quickly from shafts which enabled them to mine deeper into the Earth's surface. Coal was used in further stages of iron smelting, allowing for increased production of iron for railways and many other uses.

Railways were expanded and more canals were built. Up to this point, canals were not as widely used in areas like Britain, Ireland, and the United States. However, in 1761, the Bridgewater Canal opened, becoming England's first canal. Canal systems allowed for more supplies to be moved around. Coal was heavily transported using canals, and this was achieved at a reduced price than before, due to simpler transportation.

Also vital to the Industrial Revolution was the advancement of machine tools. Able to shape and manipulate a variety of materials, the machine tools increased manufacturing capabilities. Components for tools and equipment could be produced efficiently in factories and were more readily available for consumers. Even the military took notice and used these methods to increase production of equipment and to train soldiers in using heavy machinery.

Given the power of the steam engine, it was simple machines that made these new tools work.