One of the key technological advancements attributed to the Industrial Revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries was the steam engine. Perfected by figures like James Watt, the steam engine vastly improved transportation and manufacturing processes. It enabled factories to operate more efficiently, facilitating mass production and increasing productivity. The steam engine also revolutionized transport with the development of steamships and locomotives, dramatically reducing travel time and costs. This technological innovation contributed to urbanization, as people moved to cities for factory jobs, and it laid the groundwork for the modern economic landscape by promoting industrial growth and expanding trade networks.