Which event is commonly associated with the start of the Industrial Revolution?

The event widely associated with the start of the Industrial Revolution is the invention of the steam engine. This innovation, particularly the improvements made by James Watt in the late 18th century, provided a powerful new source of energy that revolutionized many industries, including textiles, mining, and transportation. It facilitated the shift from manual labor and animal power to machine-based manufacturing, drastically increasing production efficiency and laying the groundwork for subsequent technological advancements.

The steam engine also played a critical role in enabling other key developments of the Industrial Revolution, such as the rise of the factory system and the expansion of railways. As a result, while other inventions and milestones contributed to the era, the steam engine serves as a pivotal marker of the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, solidifying its importance in this historical context.