How did linear battlefield formations accelerate in 18th century Europe?

Answer 1

The use of linear formations accelerated in 18th century Europe, Most historians point to Prussia as a primary example of this. The Prussians increased troop density, and in the 1741 Battle of Mollwitz the Prussians covered a two mile front with 22,000 troops in two lines. In 1757, at the Battle of Prague they packed 65,000 men in a two line front that extended two and one half miles. The Prussians continued to rely on huge linear formations in 1760 at the Battle of Torgau. There, using a front that stretched only one mile, they used 45,000 troops in two lines.