What caused the Industrial Revolution?

Simple equation that equaled the industrial revolution! (and explanations below)

Equation 1! Agricultural impact!

More crops = more nutritious food for people = doubled population in 100 years

When there were suddenly many new and improved farming techiniques, the yield of crops improved dramatically. This allowed the popultation to double in about a 100 years years, because of the consistent and readily avaliable supply of good, nutritious food.

Invention of machines = less manual labour needed = less job opportunities = more people moving to the city

Thus, 

More people in a specific area = larger number of people to work for certain factories = labour surplus for businessmen = more stable economy

 However, along with the growing population, many farmers were chased of their land because of implemented enclosures, and were forced to move to the city. Thus, the number of people needing jobs was much higher than the number of jobs avaliable. This was solved when rich businessmen started factories, which gave jobs to thousands of people. There was also a much larger pool of labor for businessmen to hire from, and this resulted in a more stable economy because there would be no shortage of labour.

  Equation 2! Businessmen and Inventors!

Funding + Ideas = Many new inventions = More

The funding at that time came from rich businessmen, who started opening factories, and wanted machines or gadgets to make work faster. They looked to engineers to invent new things to help increase the production of the factories. This benefits both the engineer, the businessmen and the public, because the engineers are recognised, and receive more funding for their future inventions, the businessmen get more money from their factories, and a surplus of products allows prices to fall for the public, making thing more gettable. Furthermore, when businessmen are very successful, they can use their money to build more factories, and the cycle will start up again.

Textile Industry + Inventions

The textile factories saw many new inventions that increased speed and efficiency of work.

Click on the gadget for a video about major inventions during the industrial revolution. :)

 

(Warning - watching this droll video containing much dry humour and sacarsm may lower morale in the workspace, or for kids, not pay attention in class. ^^)