The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the mid-18th century and lasting until the mid 19th century, marked one of the most revolutionary social transformations in human history. It was characterized by the shift from manual production to mechanized production - the introduction of new and improved technologies, primarily in the form of energy sources such as steam power, that enabled more efficient and faster production, resulting in unprecedented growth in the scale and output of manufacturing. This allowed for new products and opened up global markets, leading to the emergence of the modern industrial economy and the revolutionizing of many aspects of everyday life.

See also: fossil fuel, economic growth, population growth, nuclear power, renewable energy