In only a few decades, new materials, new machines, new sources of power, and new methods of transportation changed the face of the world. Mines, furnaces, and mills formed the basis of towns where the routines of the natural world were subject to the rhythms of the factory. This book explores the innovations of the 18th century and how they changed the world forever. Sidebars offer interesting at-a-glance information that can be used to enrich reports and writing assignments, and a detailed timeline offers the big picture view of this life-changing era.