The introduction of the steam engine was pivotal to the Industrial Revolution. It revolutionized transportation and manufacturing processes, significantly increasing productivity and efficiency. Steam power enabled faster movement of goods and people, facilitating the growth of railroads and shipping industries, which connected markets and resources. Factories, powered by steam, could operate machinery continuously, leading to mass production and changes in labor practices. This technological advancement spurred urbanization as people flocked to cities for factory jobs, fundamentally altering economic structures and lifestyles, and laying the foundation for modern industrial society.