Glossary
Assembly Lines
A manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner as it moves from one workstation to another. This method dramatically increased efficiency and output.
Example:
Henry Ford's use of assembly lines for the Model T made automobiles affordable for the average American, democratizing car ownership.
Bessemer Process
The first inexpensive industrial process for the mass production of steel from molten pig iron. It made steel widely available and affordable, leading to its extensive use in construction and infrastructure.
Example:
The Bessemer Process enabled the construction of towering skyscrapers and massive bridges, fundamentally reshaping urban architecture.
Electricity
A form of energy that became a primary power source during the Second Industrial Revolution, enabling more efficient machinery, urban lighting, and new communication technologies.
Example:
The widespread adoption of electricity allowed for the creation of electric streetcars, transforming urban transportation and commuting.
First Industrial Revolution
The initial phase of industrialization, primarily from the late 18th to mid-19th centuries, characterized by the shift from agrarian and handicraft economies to machine manufacturing, notably with steam power and textile production.
Example:
The First Industrial Revolution saw the rise of factory towns in Britain, as people migrated from rural areas to work in textile mills.
Internal combustion engine
An engine that generates power by burning fuel within a combustion chamber, directly driving a piston or turbine. It became prominent in the Second Industrial Revolution, revolutionizing transportation and military technology.
Example:
The widespread adoption of the internal combustion engine in automobiles transformed urban landscapes and personal mobility in the early 20th century.
Second Industrial Revolution
A phase of rapid industrialization from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, characterized by advancements in steel production, electricity, chemicals, and mass production techniques.
Example:
During the Second Industrial Revolution, innovations like electric lighting allowed factories to operate 24/7, significantly boosting production capacity.
Steam engine
A heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid, converting heat into motion. It was a foundational technology of the First Industrial Revolution, powering factories and transportation.
Example:
The invention of the steam engine allowed factories to be built anywhere, not just near rivers, leading to widespread industrialization.
Telegraph
A system for transmitting messages over long distances using electrical signals, revolutionizing communication by allowing near-instantaneous global information exchange.
Example:
The invention of the telegraph allowed news from distant battlefields to reach capitals within hours, profoundly impacting military strategy and public awareness.