Final answer:
The invention of the steam engine led to significant social transformation by mechanizing production and fostering industrial growth. This technological advancement not only changed how resources were managed but also spurred exponential population growth and reshaped societies during the Industrial Revolution. Option d is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The successful use of the steam engine had a profound impact on society, particularly during the Industrial Revolution. The development of events leading to this success portrays a theme of social transformation. The invention of the steam engine by engineers like James Watt allowed for the mechanization of various processes, including pumping water out of mines and powering textile mills. This mechanization significantly changed the carrying capacity of the environment by increasing the amount of resources available for human sustenance.
Through technological advancements, steam engines helped develop new farming techniques and pest-resistant crops, which contributed to an exponential population growth. The railroads, powered by steam locomotives, forged a transportation revolution, profoundly affecting how goods were produced and moved. This key technological breakthrough can thus be seen as a catalyst for comprehensive social change during the Industrial Revolution era.
STEAM ENGINE FACTS:
- Developed initially for mining operations
- Became essential in farming and transportation
- Enabled large-scale industrial growth and technological advancements
Communication technologies and mass production of steel further spurred industrial development. The ability to produce large steel elements more efficiently laid the groundwork for further innovations and growth. Ultimately, the steam engine became a symbol of the transformative power of human ingenuity in harnessing energy for industrial progress, leading to an extraordinary phase of social transformation.
The correct option that can be drawn from the author's development of events is (d) Social transformation.