How did the Industrial Revolution change human life forever?
For the first time in 10,000 years, farming wasn't the main job.
The answer
Beginning in Britain around 1760, the Industrial Revolution transformed humanity from agrarian societies into urban industrial ones within a few generations. The steam engine, spinning jenny, and power loom increased production a hundredfold, but also created 16-hour workdays, child labor, and choking pollution. Average life expectancy initially dropped in industrial cities before rising dramatically as wealth and sanitation improved - ultimately doubling human lifespan and multiplying global GDP by a factor of 100.
Source: History.com
- industry
- Britain
- economics
- urbanization
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