What Role Did Coal And Steel Play In The First And Second Industrial Revolution
1. Introduction The Industrial Revolutions marked important turning points in human history, characterized by stable production and technological processes as well as economic growth. The discovery of coal and steel served these revolutions. But what would have happened if people had never discovered them? The purpose of this essay is to explore the industrial revolutions without coal and steel by exploring alternative materials that might have been used and considering the potential implications for the modern world. 2. The Role of Coal and Steel in the First and Second Industrial Revolutions Coal played a vital and transformative role during the first industrial revolution, responding to the growing demand for energy spurred by population …show more content…
Initially, iron served as the primary material for manufacturing various items (Sass, 1998). However, as technology advanced, there arose a need for materials with superior characteristics. Consequently, through the process of combining iron with carbon, people obtained steel, a material that would play an instrumental role in shaping the infrastructure of the modern world (Sass, 1998). Steel found applications in the construction of railroads, steamboats, bridges, tunnels, and the mechanization of industries. Its superiority over materials like cast iron, which possessed unwanted impurities, was evident in its enhanced reliability, lighter weight, increased durability, and superior strength (Sass, 1998). Moreover, steel's contributions extended beyond construction and transportation, as it played a crucial role in medical advancements. The highest quality steel was exported and utilized extensively in the construction of railroads, with a staggering total length in the United States between 1865 and 1874 exceeding 280,000 km (175,000 miles) (Cartwright, …show more content…
Steel provided immense support for the second industrial revolution, also known as the technological revolution (Sass, 1998). This period of rapid industrialization, which took place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, was characterized by the invention of new technologies, new methods of mass production, and the expansion of global commerce (Sass, 1998). If steel had never been discovered, the second industrial revolution would have been much slower and less impactful. The new technologies and mass-production techniques that emerged during this period would have relied on alternative materials, thus limiting their
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