The First Industrial Revolution marked a new chapter in the history of humankind, rapidly transforming largely agrarian and rural societies into urbanised geographies. The once cottage industry of textiles was replaced by mechanical production, owing to manufacturing innovation and new processes such as the cotton gin and – of course – water and steam power.

Still today, it is hard to comprehend the monumental impact such change had on societies throughout the world during the late 18th century, and with it, international trade.

The First Industrial Revolution, however, didn’t simply signify a shift from manual to mechanical production. Its impact was far more profound. It established an aspiration to continuously adapt and evolve, demonstrated by the subsequent Technical Revolution enabling mass production, and further automation through the use of electronics and IT systems during the Third Industrial Revolution of the 20th century.

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