Final answer:
The first factories relied on water power, using flowing rivers to operate water wheels before steam engines became widespread. Steam power enabled factories to move away from water sources, and eventually electricity and internal combustion engines allowed for even greater flexibility and productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first factories during the Industrial Revolution relied primarily on water power to operate machinery. Before the development of steam power, factories were often built alongside rivers to make use of the flowing water to turn water wheels, which could then drive the machinery used for manufacturing goods. As technology advanced, however, the steam engine became more prevalent due to its ability to provide consistent power regardless of location, allowing factories to move away from water sources and become more widespread. This marked a significant shift in industrial practices, where water-powered operations were increasingly replaced by steam-powered machinery, fueling the rapid expansion and evolution of industry.
In the late nineteenth century, advancements in technology enabled the use of electricity and internal combustion engines in factories. These new power sources relieved the limitations imposed by the sheer physical size and immobility of the earlier steam engines. Internal combustion engines, powered by petroleum, became essential for powering machinery in areas where steam engines were too cumbersome or impractical. Additionally, the advent of electricity transformed manufacturing by allowing factories to operate around the clock, with electric lighting making it possible for work to continue after dark, further increasing productivity.