VIDEU (spinning jenny
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
he Industrial Revolution began in England in the 18th century and soon
things much faster than before, when people worked by hand. In 1764, James
Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny' to twist thread for making cloth.
But the most important invention was James Watt's steam engine, which he
built during the 1760s. Engineers began using steam engines to power
machines in factories and built the first steamboats and trains. These all
needed coal to make steam, so the coal mining industry also grew quickly.
More and more factories and coalmines appeared, turning small towns into
big cities as people moved there to work. By 1850, half of the English
population lived in cities, in poor, overcrowded housing. Men, women and
even children worked in factories or mines. Working conditions were hard
and unhealthy, and wages were low. Conditions slowly improved.
however, and the things factories produced gave people a better standard of
living. One thing is certain though, the Industrial Revolution changed the
world forever.
steam engine
2
7.R2 Read the text again and mark the statements T (true) or F
(false). Correct the false statements.
1 England was the first country to become industrial.
2 James Hargreaves made the first spinning jenny.
3 The spinning jenny was the first real steam engine.
4 James Watt invented the steamboat.
5 Only men worked in factories.
6 Workers got good money for their work.
