Wood During The Industrial Revolution

Electricity and fossil fuels power nearly every source of technology all over the world. However, energy changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution impacted countless citizens all over the world in ways that affected their production and living standards. Up until the Industrial Revolution, wood was used for both as a fuel and a building material. American and English adoption of coal and iron as energy resources was a critical driving factor during the Industrial Revolution since the adoption improved transportation resources and promoted mass manufacturing. From the Colonial area up until the National period, wood served as a dual purpose resource that provided both as a building material and a source of fuel. The United States had access to iron to build structures, but it was far too expensive compared to wood and required additional handling knowledge (Hughes, 301). Rural areas in the United States required fuel that was virtually free of cost, and wood was readily available
Coal, iron, and production were closely interrelated as a result. The United States and Europe were driven by the economic and social incentive of technological advancement. Coal was essential since it was used for steam engines and newly mechanized manufacturing plants. Iron was critical to society since it was also needed in mechanized manufacturing and transportation. These two new materials gave rise to the great factories the Industrial Revolution was known for. The immense textile manufacturing plants that employed scores of people were the direct result of transitioning from water to coal. Iron plows and drills trickled down to the agricultural industry, increasing productivity and trade. Coal and iron were crucial to the United States and Europe since it was the catalyst for many technological advancements across every sector, including the agricultural, manufacturing, and transportation