The Steam Engine

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"In the never-ending search for energy sources, the invention of the steam engine changed the face of the earth." (Siegel, Preface) The steam engine was the principal power source during the British Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. The steam engine opened a whole new world to everyone. The steam engine maximized production, efficiency, reliability, minimized time, the amount of labor, and the usage of animals. The steam engine in all revolutionized the Eastern Hemisphere, mainly European society. What does revolutionize actually mean? It means that something such as the steam engine brought about a radical change in something, and this something is the European Society. The steam engine specifically brought about a …show more content…

Prices were lower in the area that produced a certain good and higher in an area that had to import it. Now for the first time prices seemed to be relatively equal due to the steam engine in the railroads. (Johnson, 35) The industry that the steam engine developed depended on transport of raw materials. The steam engine in ships carried these raw materials as well as finished products through waterways, for long distances. Goods could be transported by water at a speed of 20 miles per hour, which is a lot faster and economical than other methods. Because of the steam engine, countries could now import and export with other countries at a faster pace than the wooden ships. "Road Locomotives were fitted to carry out relatively long and fast journeys, hauling big loads on the hard road surfaces. This was an alternative to transporting products through railways, because there was a lack of the choice of routes." (Wise, 56) The steam engine used in these "Road Locomotives", provided yet another means of transporting goods from one place to another quickly and directly which was important in transporting. Road locomotives were extremely efficient because if someone didn't have much money, than they could transport their goods via this transportation method. "The coming of the lighter steam wagons revolutionized local delivery work, horses being brought within a reasonable day's

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