The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes that began in Great Britain in the mid-18th century. It involved the shift from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, the increasing use of steam power, and the development of machine tools. James Watt’s improvements to the steam engine were central to this shift, allowing factories to move away from river-powered water wheels. The revolution transformed society from predominantly agrarian and rural to urban and industrial. While it led to an unprecedented rise in the standard of living and life expectancy for some, it also brought about harsh working conditions, child labor, and urban overcrowding. It fundamentally altered the global economy, leading to the rise of capitalism and the modern era of mass production and global trade.