The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the late 18th century, typically marked around 1760. This era saw a shift from agrarian economies to industrial manufacturing, largely due to advancements in technology and machinery. The development of the steam engine, improvements in textile manufacturing, and the rise of factories were significant elements of this transition. It led to urbanization, changes in labor, and paved the way for economic growth, fundamentally altering the social fabric of the time and setting the stage for modern economies.