Explore the Captivating History of the Industrial Revolution For most of human existence, people lived in a somewhat similar fashion. Everything that has been produced, from food and raw materials to clothing and other finished products, has been done either solely by hand or with some help of animal power. This was the same across the eras and throughout the world, no matter how advanced or backward the various civilizations were. Yet our lives today couldn't be more different. Most of our products are made by machines and mechanical power, allowing for greater productivity and a higher quality of life in general. That advance was made possible by what we today call the Industrial Revolution. Its start in the mid-18th century signalized a slow but unwavering transformation from a handmade manufacturing civilization to a machine-powered industrial society. It is hard to overestimate how important and impactful this event was. The effects of the Industrial Revolution touched and