Machine Era

Industrial Revolution

In the progress of civilization, man developed knowledge. To preserve it, he taught it to his children who, in turn, further developed this knowledge. This was how knowledge found newer applications in different fields.

As knowledge expanded, several new occupations came into being. New types of tools and machines were needed for different occupations. Sometimes people clashed with one another, which necessitated different types of tools like knives and spears. People also formed into groups and communities, which fought with each other, so different types of weapons too were developed; this was how swords and other tools came to be developed.

Tools in the past were all operated by hand, limiting the capacity for work. To increase productivity, the factory system was introduced in England. This involved breaking down the production of an article into different steps, with each step done by a different worker. As a result, workers could specialize in a particular task and do it better and faster, thus increasing production and improving their skills.

During this time, the development of a machine that could automate work was underway. This machine was the steam engine, and it marked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.