How did the Industrial Revolution fit into multilinear theories of cultural evolution?

In the context of social science, multilinear theories of cultural evolution—developed by mid-20th-century anthropologists like Julian H. Steward—reject the idea of universal, unilinear stages of development. Instead, these theories posit that while human societies generally progress through technological adaptation to their environments, they do so along various paths of different styles and lengths.12

Within this framework, the Industrial Revolution is viewed as a significant technological breakthrough. Multilinear theorists categorize it as a major advancement in the tools, materials, and energy sources that allow societies to become more adaptable to and dominant over their environments.13

Rather than viewing the Industrial Revolution as a mandatory stage for all cultures, multilinear evolutionists argue that:
* Technological innovations, such as the steam engine and factory system, represent specific mechanisms of progress that enhance a society's ability to exploit resources.132
* The specific social manifestations of industrialization—such as urbanization or changes in family structure—are shaped by the unique historical and physical settings of each society.42
* Societies may follow different evolutionary trajectories depending on how they integrate such technological changes into their existing social systems.2