Demand Increased
Prior to the Industrial Revolution, coal was used primarily for domestic heating and cooking. However, the development of steam engines and other coal-powered machinery in the late 18th century led to a dramatic increase in the demand for coal. By the middle of the 19th century, coal had become the primary source of energy for industry, transportation, and power generation.
Production Increased
In order to meet the increased demand, coal production increased rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. In Britain, for example, coal production increased from 6 million tons in 1800 to over 100 million tons by 1850. This increase was made possible by a number of factors, including the development of new mining technologies, such as the steam-powered coal shovel and the safety lamp, as well as the construction of new canals and railways to transport coal from the mines to the factories and cities.
New Technologies
The demand for coal also led to the development of several new technologies:
- The steam-powered coal shovel mechanized coal loading, making mining operations more efficient.
- The safety lamp, invented by Sir Humphry Davy in 1815, reduced the risk of explosions in underground coal mines.
- The railroad made it possible to transport large amounts of coal quickly and efficiently over long distances.
- The steamship increased the maritime use of coal as both fuel and cargo.
Impact and Change
The increased use of coal during the Industrial Revolution had a number of significant effects on the environment and society:
- Coal mining led to extensive deforestation, air pollution, and water pollution.
- The Industrial Revolution shifted the balance of economic power from rural areas to urban areas, as factories and other coal-powered industries were concentrated in cities.
- The demand for coal led to the expansion of the British Empire, as Britain sought to secure access to overseas coal supplies.
- Coal provided a reliable and abundant source of energy that propelled the Industrial Revolution forward, transforming societies through transportation, manufacturing, and technological advancements.
Overall, the Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the coal industry and led to the development of several new energy sources that fueled the process of industrialization. Although coal remains an essential energy source today, technological improvements and emerging alternatives aim to address its negative environmental consequences.