How did the Industrial Revolution change the way goods were produced?

The Industrial Revolution fundamentally transformed production by shifting from the domestic system—where independent craftsmen used hand tools in their homes—to the factory system, which concentrated industry into large, specialized establishments.12

Key changes included:

• Mechanization: The replacement of human, animal, and water power with the steam engine and other power-driven machinery allowed for large-scale manufacturing.31
• Division of Labour: Production processes were broken down into specialized, repetitive tasks. This rational organization of work significantly increased productivity, often requiring less individual skill than traditional craftsmanship.342
• Interchangeable Parts: The development of machine tools enabled the creation of standardized, identical parts. This innovation, central to the American System, allowed for the assembly of finished products by relatively unskilled workers, marking the onset of mass production.15

These shifts fundamentally altered the worker's role, moving them from independent artisans to machine operators subject to factory discipline, while simultaneously driving urbanization as factories were established near power sources and transportation networks.12