Industrial Revolution: The Invention Of The Steam Engine

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I. All around the world, people rely on many different types of engines and fuels for our day-to-day tasks. Petrol and diesel are used commonly in cars, coal and natural gas are relied on for power, and kerosene is commonly used in planes. All of these power sources rely on the same technology to extract their power. The common ancestor to all of these technologies is the steam engine. The industrial revolution would not be possible without the steam engine, because it allowed factories to be located anywhere, and it revolutionized travel by allowing the creation of steam powered locomotives and ships. II. The steam engine revolutionized the economy and the industrial revolution by allowing for many more options when it comes to deciding where …show more content…

Shortly after the invention of the steam engine, it was developed into an engine that can help locomotives and ships move passengers and cargo at high rates. These new steam powered vehicles could transport much greater amounts of cargo than horse drawn carriages can. Locomotives were able to carry passengers and goods across the state. Engines could store steam and use it to carry up to 100 tons through the railway(Thruston). With this new found technology, cargo ccould be traspored within and across the country faster than ever before. This lead to a booming growth in the economy and factories. This helped drive forward the revolution which would not have happened if it were not for the steam engine. “During the 19th century, the development of railroads changed the face of transportation forever. By 1850, trains were able to travel between 30 and 50 miles an hour to speed both raw materials and consumer goods across Europe” (Curth). With trains being able to transport raw materials and consumer goods at over 30 miles per hour, the efficiency of factories would have increased greatly. This also resulted in increased trade and sales of consumer goods, helping strengthen and solidify the economy. “The opening of the Liverpool and Manchester line may fairly be regarded as the inauguration of the railway era, which continued until World War I. During this time railways were built across all the countries and continents of the world, opening up vast areas to the markets of industrial society”(Britannica). This signifies how the opening of the railways were widespread around the world, and

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