1001 Space Earth Nature History First Civilisations Ancient Egypt Biblical Times Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Chinese, Japanese Civilisations Indian Civilisation African Civilisation The Early Americas The Rise of Islam The Middle Ages The Renaissance Civil War and Revolution The Industrial Revolution Two World Wars 20th-century Achievements Human World Science and Technology

What did the machines make? Cheap clothing, iron, and weapons were just some of the products of the Industrial Revolution. New machines were invented that helped spinners and weavers to make cloth much more quickly and cheaply. This meant that people could now wear cheaper wool and cotton clothes. In 1709 an inventor named Abraham Darby discovered a new, cheap way to make good-quality iron. Iron was used to make everything from saucepans to machines, bridges, steamships, and railroads. Iron and, later, steel were also used to make guns. This fast and cheap way of making goods is called mass production.   Previous: Back Book: 1001 Section: History Chapter: The Industrial Revolution