Which two key developments characterized the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution, primarily spanning from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s, was a period of massive change in Britain and beyond. Think about what "industry" actually *is* – it's about making things, right? Before this revolution, most goods were made by hand, slowly, often in people's homes. What changed all that? Two major things: the invention of new machinery and the harnessing of steam power. New machines, like the spinning jenny and the power loom, dramatically sped up production in factories. But these machines needed power, and that's where steam came in. James Watt's improved steam engine, patented in 1769, provided a reliable and powerful energy source that could be used anywhere, not just near water like watermills. This combination of machinery and steam power led to mass production, urbanization, and a completely transformed economy. While medical advances and changes in the law were certainly happening during this time, they weren't the *driving forces* behind the Industrial Revolution itself. It was all about making things faster and more efficiently, and that's why machinery and steam power are the key developments.