Evolution of Global Industry and Technological Revolutions

The First Industrial Revolution

The First Industrial Revolution emerged at the end of the 18th century and was based on energy derived from coal. The metal and textile industries were the most important industries at the time. They were located near coal deposits and ports in countries such as the United Kingdom, the USA, France, and Germany.

The Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution was based on energy derived from oil and electricity. It occurred between 1870 and 1970 and was marked by the invention of the combustion engine and assembly line production (initiated by Henry Ford with the Model T car). The industries most affected were the automobile, chemical, iron and steel, and household appliance industries. They were located in cities and in newly industrialized countries such as Japan and Russia.

The Information and Automation Revolution

In addition to oil, nuclear energy and new renewable energy sources were used. Electronics, information technology, and biotechnology emerged. Industry moved to new areas with excellent transport links via motorways, airports, and high-speed trains. Automation, telecommunications, and the Internet were pivotal to this revolution.

Modern Industrial Landscapes

The profound changes that have taken place in industrial activity and the use of less polluting energies have created new industrial landscapes that look less aggressive.

Centres for Advanced Technology

Centres for Advanced Technology are located in the most developed countries and areas, such as Japan and Germany, among others. Silicon Valley, California (Google, Apple, HP, Yahoo, Oracle), Seattle, Washington (Microsoft, Amazon), and Atlanta, Georgia (Coca-Cola, CNN) are some of the main technology centres in the United States. Other places, such as Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Bangalore (India), are also very important.

Automated and High Technology Industries

These industries feature high technology and automated production, which involves the development of robotics. Many contemporary factories are based on radical architectural designs and offer working conditions that are far from traditional.

The Rise and Impact of Chinese Industry

The mouths of the great Chinese rivers, such as the Yangtze and the Yellow River, and the northeast of China (Manchuria), are the most important industrialized areas in the world. Chinese industry is strongly dependent on polluting energies such as coal and oil. It has become the largest industrial country in the world, but also the most environmentally polluted. This is evident in the new landscapes of enormous factories, millions of workers, heavily polluted air, and cities constructed entirely of tall buildings. The sector is extremely diversified.