Question

Which of the following inventions of the industrial revolution made it possible for factory workers to work longer hours?

a. Henry Ford's assembly line

b. Thomas Edison's lightbulb

c. Eli Whitney's Cotton gin

d. Henry Bessemer's steel process

Answer 1

Thomas Edison's lightbulb allowed for longer working hours in factories by providing illumination, thus extending the workday and increasing productivity during the Industrial Revolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The invention that made it possible for factory workers to work longer hours during the Industrial Revolution was Thomas Edison's lightbulb. Before the advent of electric lighting, factories were limited to daylight hours for safe and efficient work. Edison's lightbulb, which was commercialized in the late 19th century, revolutionized factories by allowing them to operate beyond daylight hours, thus extending the workday. The lightbulb had a profound impact on industrial productivity, enabling factories to be illuminated at night and facilitating a longer workday for employees.