Notable Advancements
While there are hundreds of advancements that have been impactful as a result of the Industrial Revolutions, there are some that have transcended into what we all acknowledge as the greatest advancements of the industrial age. Here are our picks for the most important and most notable advancements in this new age.
Cotton Gin (1793)
The cotton gin was a massive advancement to the textiles industry by mechanizing one of the most labor-intensive parts of cotton picking: separating cotton seeds from the fibers. It was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, and over the next 50 years, raised cotton bale production from 73,000 bales in 1800 to 2,136,000 bales per year by 1850.
Bessemer Steel Process (1856)
Created in England in 1856, the Bessemer steel process was a way for people to convert iron and carbon into cheap, efficient steel. This material became the backbone of modern building and engineering, and while Bessemer’s production did have some impurities remain after his purification, he laid the groundwork for countless innovations to come after him.