The industrial revolution, a great economic success, was accompanied by a wide variety of victims. The American people became a victim of the elimination of competition. The consumer was not the only victim however. The American worker was also victimized. Factories began to replace small "cottage" industries. As the population grew so did wants and needs. Manufacturers realized that bulk production was cheaper, more efficient and provided the quantity of items needed. As a result more and more factories sprang up.