Key Industries of the Industrial Revolution: Textiles, Iron, and Coal

Key Industries of the Industrial Revolution

The textile and iron industries were the dominant sectors during this period.

The Textile Industry

In the 18th century, there were large volumes of trade in hand-printed cotton fabric from India (known as indianas). The British government boosted the production of cotton fabric within Britain. The mechanization process started with John Kay's flying shuttle (1733), which increased the speed of production and made it possible to weave wider fabrics. This was followed by spinning machines like the spinning jenny, spinning mule, and water frame, which significantly increased productivity.

The Iron Industry

In the 18th century, there was a huge rise in demand for iron to manufacture ships, munitions, machines, and tools. This prompted the search for a fuel for the iron industry that was cheaper and more effective than charcoal. The development of puddling and rolling techniques, invented by Henry Cort (1783), was important for the expansion of the iron industry. Later, the Bessemer converter (1856) made it possible to manufacture steel, a flexible material ideal for constructing machinery, tools, buildings, and public works.

Coal and Iron Mining

The first major mining sectors were those of coal and iron, reflecting the widespread use of minerals. Coal became a major energy source, and the demand for it increased due to its use in steam engines and in iron and steel manufacturing. Coal mines started opening up all over Europe. Wales became one of the major mining regions because the high-quality coal mined there had a high calorific value. Coal-producing regions attracted companies from the iron industry because coal was more expensive to transport than iron.

Commercial Expansion

The Industrial Revolution gave rise to a market economy, where goods were produced for sale in urban markets rather than for personal consumption. This change led to the creation of a domestic market as a result of the rise in production and specialization, new transport systems, population growth, and greater purchasing power. Domestic trade increased gradually, leading to the expansion of local markets and the consolidation of a domestic market that supported industrial growth.