Thermal Scanning

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain around 1760, fundamentally transformed manufacturing processes and social structures across Europe and North America. By 1840, industrial production had increased by 400% in major manufacturing centers.

The renowned economist Adam Smith published his influential work "The Wealth of Nations" in 1776, which coincided with the early industrial period. His theories influenced David Ricardo and John Stuart Mill, who further developed economic thought during the 19th century.

Urban population growth was dramatic: Manchester grew from 25,000 residents in 1772 to over 300,000 by 1850—a twelve-fold increase in less than a century. Similar patterns emerged in Birmingham, Leeds, and Sheffield.

The historian Eric Hobsbawm estimated that between 1780 and 1860, real wages for industrial workers increased by approximately 150%, though this figure remains contested among scholars. His research, published in 1962, continues to inform contemporary debates about industrialization.