1st and 2nd Industrial Revolution

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I. INTRODUCTION T HE Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840. This transition included going from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, improved efficiency of water power, the increasing use of steam power, and the development of machine tools. It also included the change from wood and other bio-fuels to coal. The First Industrial Revolution began in England in the late 18th century, following in the wake of James Watt and his steam engine. The initial focus of industrialization was on textiles; cloth was needed by almost everyone. Early textiles were produced by a “cottage industry” system in which a central agent, the factor, would provide raw cotton and oversee the work of the various production units. The Second Industrial Revolution occurred from the early 19th to early 20th centuries. The First Industrial Revolution saw steam-powered machines replace human labor in industry while the Second Industrial Revolution saw electricity replace steam as the main power source in industry. The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by the build out of railroads, large scale iron and steel production, widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, greatly increased use of steam power, use of oil, beginning of electricity and by electrical communications. “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” This famous saying was said by Newton. We think that the giant behind the 1st industrial revolution is Heron of Alexandria as he had invented the first ‘steam engine’—aeolipile in the world, which was almost two thousand years much earlier than the 1st industrial revolution occurred. Also, the main raw material of the 1st industrial revolution is steam. That is the other reason why we
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