The important history of the Industrial revolutions
The figure below is an infographic of the four industrial revolutions. It presents the timeframe for each industrial revolution. According to the infographic, the First Industrial Revolution began in the 1780s, whereas the Fourth Industrial Revolution is happening now. The infographic also presents the key technological inventions that characterised each industrial revolution. These inventions changed peoples' way of life. The First Industrial Revolution was characterised by the mechanisation of manufacturing, and the use of steam and waterpower in manufacturing. The Second Industrial Revolution was characterised by mass production and the use of electricity. What differentiates the Third Industrial Revolution from the prior industrial revolution is the widespread use of electronic and information and technology (IT) systems, as well as automation in manufacturing. This is also known as the “digitalisation of manufacturing” or the digital revolution. The infographic shows that in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the digital or cyber systems are being combined with physical systems. This combination produces intelligent systems or “agents” that can autonomously perform activities that were previously reserved for humans.