The Steam Engine: Shifting Societal Norms and Values during the Industrial

Revolutions

Author:
R.A. Matahelumual (st. nr. 423333)

Introduction
The utilization of coal and steam power during the Industrial Revolution brought forth
a transformation of society, impacting norms and values. In this elaboration, we will explore
the fundamental influence of coal and steam power on societal perspectives, particularly
regarding the first and second Industrial Revolutions, labour, and the redefinition of values.
We will explore this topic with a historic example of Germany and one of it’s great industrialists,
implications, and social laws. This analysis will be supported by relevant literature.

The Steam Engine

In contrast to common believe, the first steam engines to convert thermal energy into
mechanical energy can be traced back to Hero of Alexandria in Egypt around 150 BC. In 1698,
the first workable coal powered steam pump was invented by Thomas Savery. This
rudimentary technology was used to pump water out of mine shafts, especially for the coal
industry. However, it could only raise water by 9-10 meters and was thus of little practical
interest. The first commercially successful steam engine pump was designed by Thomas
Newcomen in 1712, which could reliably pump water over 50 meters with it’s piston design.
However, James Watt’s steam engine, patented in 1769, was much superior due to it’s higher
efficiency and smaller footprint (Spear, 2008). Watt’s engine would dominate the industrial
sector until 1800, when the broadly drafted patent that prevented others from making high
pressure engines expired. Since then, many innovations were commercialized for many
different applications, like manufacturing and factories, mining, textile mills, transportation,
electric power generation, and much more (Frenken & Nuvolari, 2004).

The Industrial Revolutions

The invention of the steam engine (and spinning jenny) was one of the most impactful
inventions that led to the first Industrial Revolution, “providing the initial, technical basis for the
industrialization of societies.” (Bendix, 1967). Great Britain successfully implemented the
world’s first Industrial Revolution between approximately 1770 to 1850 with cheap energy due
to the vast availability and exploitation of coal. This availability of cheap energy helped fuel
this era of great development, giving Great Britain the strength to rise to world dominance
(Spear, 2014). The second Industrial Revolution, usually dated between 1870 and 1914, was
characterized by a rapid rate of pathbreaking inventions, which had slowed down after 1825
(Mokyr, 2014).
During these periods, a shift from agrarian to industrial economies significantly altered
societal norms related to work, production, and economic structures (Mokyr, 2014). Using coal
as an abundant, cheap resource for steam engines fuelled the rise of factories and mass
production, shaping societal values around efficiency, productivity, and economic progress.

Urbanization: Progress and Disparities Cities: Places of Progress and

Before the Industrial Revolution, the majority of the workforce was employed in
agriculture in rural areas. With the introduction of the steam plough and steam tractor, a drastic
increase in the efficiency of agriculture was induced. This agrarian revolution, which caused a
consolidation of small farms into large led to a reduced workforce (Bruland & Smith, 2013). At
the same time, new economic opportunities arose in urban areas. This caused demographic
changes of people moving to the cities in search of employment.
Cities within 25 kilometres of a coalfield would prove to grow roughly twice as fast as
those further away, showing the importance of this abundant and cheap energy carrier
(Fernihough & O’Rourke, 2020). The energy was not only used for the steam engine though,
but also for steel plants and other applications.
The Industrial Revolution as a direct consequence of the use of steam power and coal
had profound effects on labour, social norms, and values. This shift from agrarian communities
to industrial urban settings transformed societal norms regarding work hours, labour
conditions, and the nature of employment relationships of the new working class (Nardinelli,
1990). Work in factories was strenuous, dangerous, and long work days were common. Child
labour and accidents were all but normal and people had existential insecurity, as no laws
were in place that protected worked from being fired. Due to these facts, among others,
anthropometric studies indicated that health and nutritional standards deteriorated during
industrialisation, shown by stunted growth. Pitiful living conditions with absence of modern
sanitation and the lack of hygiene further contributed to this (Blum & McLaughlin, 2019).
The most famous industrialist during the Industrial Revolution in Germany was Alfred
Krupp, who expanded the ‘Kruppsche Gussstahlfabrik’ (cast steel factory) into what was then
the largest industrial company in Europe. Krupp provided housing, schools, healthcare
facilities, recreational spaces, cultural amenities, and welfare programs for his workers within
the company towns. With these efforts, Krupp addressed some of the social issues associated
with rapid industrialization. However, this benevolence could be seen as part of a broader
(political) strategy, introducing an element of paternalism, while potentially limiting the freedom
of choice for his workforce.

Bismarck’s Social Laws

The implementation of Bismarck’s social laws between 1883 and 1925 was one of the
earliest social welfare structures of its day. The measures, known as the ‘Bismarcksche
Sozialgesetze’, were introduced by the Chancellor of the German Empire Otto von Bismarck,
to address issues related to workers’ rights, health insurance, old age and disability insurance,
and accident insurance. But the laws were also a response to rising class tensions and to
counter socialist movements during the second Industrial Revolution (Schmitz et al., 2023).

Reduction of Perspective and Freedom

The steam engine and Industrial Revolution brought about a reduction of perspective
in several ways. As societal values started to revolve around steam-driven efficiency,
productivity, and economic progress dominated societal progress. This means that
alternative models of societal progress that could have enriched the societal advancement
were overlooked. Sustainability, local economies, artisanal craftsmanship and more were
overlooked or not seen as a sign of progress and prosperity.
On one hand, the economic opportunities created by steam-powered industries
offered the freedom to seek employment and economic advancement in urban centres.
Nevertheless, the working conditions, including strictly regulated labour, reduced autonomy
of the workforce, and hazardous conditions over which workers had no influence and only
limited individual freedom. Other technological advancement that included the use of the
steam engine, like the steam locomotive increased individual freedom. These advancements
brought cheap and fast transportation to the masses that allowed people to travel, especially

Conclusion
This exploration gives an overview of the reMarkable implications that energy
technologies and energy carriers can have on human development, as well as the relation on
societal norms, values and freedom. With the specific example of steam power and coal, it is
clear how energy utilization is intertwined with shifts in societal perspectives and the dynamic
concept of freedom.
Out of these societal shifts, social efforts arose to improve the conditions and freedom
of workers, as explained in the examples of Alfred Krupp and Otto von Bismarck. However,
questions arise to the nature of these seemingly benevolent actions that might have negatively
influence workers’ freedom instead.
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