Mankind has always been innovative, with our technology evolving from stone tools to smartphones. Due to this innovative instinct, the manufacturing industry was born. We found ways to use the tools we created to mass-produce products, which further propelled technology forward. But it all had to start somewhere, and the manufacturing industry wouldn’t be where it is without the four industrial revolutions.
History is important for appreciating the present and seeing how far we’ve come. Here’s a rundown of the four industrial revolutions, from the 1700s to today.
The First Industrial Revolution
The first Industrial Revolution, often referred to simply as the Industrial Revolution, started in Britain but soon spread to continental Europe and across the Atlantic to the United States. Taking place between the 1760s and the 1840s, it occurred primarily thanks to the discovery of coal. With this new fuel source, innovative minds were able to figure out how to manufacture goods on a massive scale.
Inventions such as spinning machines and looms were created, allowing the textile industry to boom, especially in Massachusetts. Perhaps most critically, transportation was revolutionized thanks to the invention of the steam engine, allowing for both goods and people to travel great distances in less time.
The Second Industrial Revolution
If you drive a car, ride a bus, or travel by plane, you have the Second Industrial Revolution to thank. Starting in the 1870s and ending around 1914, this revolution came about due to the discovery of electricity, gas and oil. The invention of the combustion engine went hand-in-hand with these fuel sources and is a major part of why the Second Industrial Revolution is known as the Technological Revolution.
The Second Industrial Revolution was a massive period of advancement in technology and economic growth, especially in the U.S. During this time, both steel and chemically-based products hit the market. Communication technology evolved, with the invention of the telegraph and the telephone. Once again transportation sped forward with the invention of the car and airplane. This also helped reduce starvation from crop failures, as food could be shipped farther thanks to the new transportation infrastructure.
The Third Industrial Revolution
Taking place in the 1950s after WWII, the Third Industrial Revolution is when things went nuclear. Nuclear power began being seen as a viable energy source, though the potential dangers were quickly realized along with the environmental impact.
The Third Industrial Revolution is also known as the Information Age thanks to the rapid shift from traditional industries like textiles and steelworking to electronics and information technology. The World Wide Web was created and has been a major part of our lives ever since, increasing communications, information sharing, and leading to many of the advancements we enjoy today.
Industry 4.0
There’s been some debate on when the Third Industrial Revolution ended and the current one started, but it’s undeniable that we’re now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Industry 4.0. It is the cyber-physical transformation of manufacturing, with more and more of the industry undergoing a digital transformation. Robotics, smart technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been sweeping the manufacturing industry, replacing old jobs but creating new ones.
Sustainability has also been gaining more prominence in Industry 4.0. Manufacturers looking to find ways to utilize renewable energy sources and reduce the environmental impact production and transportation can cause.
Join this latest industrial revolution by starting a career in the manufacturing industry today. Sign up for a free training course and be a part of this latest world-wide technological transformation.