The steam engine was invented in the early 1840's 1850's to speed up the production of trade and shipment by see in the U.S.
Back then to get materials to build a... outhouse (for example) to get the proper wood by regular boat would take... 2 weeks. But with a steam engine, you'd get the parts in less than 5 days.
Today works similarly- instead of getting a package from Maryland to GA in 2 months, you can get it in less than 2 weeks.