In the eighteenth century in commerce and industrial spheres there took place extraordinary changes that began from Britain and spread to whole Europe. Intellectuals gave impetus to industrial revolution. Industrial revolution influenced the economy, public transport and political system.
By the industrial revolution the changes that came in different spheres are as follows :
1. Changes in the field of agriculture : Till 17th century in agriculture old traditions were brought to use, but as the population of cities rose, new industries showed growth, farmers had to produce more food and cotton. New inventions gave birth to agricultural revolution.
At first Yorkshire landlord, Jethro Tull made drill machine for sowing seeds and this eased sowing of seeds. ‘Analysis of Agriculture’ was a magazine, through which Author Yoga gave farmers essential information regarding agriculture. In 1793 AD, American resident Withing invented a machine to separate straw from grains and in 1834 H. MacCormic of Cyrus invented crop cutting machine that led to increased production.
2. Changes in cloth industry : England started import of raw cotton from India. The cutting and weaving of cotton was done in England. In 1733 AD a weaver named John invented the flying shutde by which cloth weaving became faster. In 1764 James Hargreak invented ‘Spinning jenny. In 1764 Richard Arkwright developed ‘Water frame’ that was cotton cutting machine.
3. New technical changes in Iron industry : Iron elements were purified as different techniques were discovered. In 1709 AD Abrahim Durby invented Blast Furnace in which foremost coke was utilized. Henry Court invented Blast Furnace by which clean and good iron became a reality to be made. Henry Bessemer quickly found techniques to produce cheaper and purer iron. Due to this result, from 1800 AD to 1830 AD England increased iron production fourfold.
4. The changes due to innovation in steam power : The steam power was first utilized in mines. To get rid of serious problem of water seepage in mines, in 1712 AD Thomson Niccoman invented a steam engine. In the steam engine more energy was consumed. In 1769, James Watt developed less costly and more effective steam engine. Due to this engine the industries received power driven energy.
5. The changes in mode of transportation : For the transportation of heavy goods to become economical, Britain constructed many canals. First canal named as Warsley canal was built in 1761 AD by James Brindley, the purpose of which was to take the coal from Warsley to the city. From 1788 AD to 1796 AD, 96 projects of canal construction were started that was called waterways. In 1869 AD, French Engineer Ferdinand T. Lesseps constructed the Suez Canal.
In 1814 AD first rail engine Stephenson’s Rocket was constructed. In 1801 AD, Richard Travithick invented ‘Puffing Devil’. In 1814 AD George Stephenson developed Rail Engine that was known by the name ‘Bulture’. With respect to inventions of transportation in 1825 AD a trails was run between Stockton and Darlington cities covering 9 miles. In 1830 AD Liverpool and Manchester were connected by a rail line.
