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As the answerer above stated and is correct about the need to reap resources. But the need for machniery increased because of one issue: Labor.

England had passed various land act kicking many peasants off of their master's properties (bringing a complete end to serfdom in England) many of whom emigrated to the US. Also, England was the first nation to end the slave trade. With no slaves or serfs and yet the same amount of work to do, new ideas were needed to produce what was once done by blood, sweat, and tears. Once the cat was out of the bag it started to evolve and efficiency and cost lowering became the prime focus of these new industries which lead to improvements in technology.

Opposition came from those who were displaced and out of work due to the new inventions and many of the Enlightenment Philosophers were against this move for they new that industrialization would lead to urbanization and with it loss of property ownership and therefore freedom (think of today).

Specifically both of these inventions were well received. The light bulb was a boon to mankind and embraced fairly quickly. The steam engine was only opposed on an external level from its noise and appearance. But further improvements eliminated these by the mid 19th century. Of course the guy who had to shovel coal into the steam engine woudn't have been its biggest fan.

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16y ago

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