Answer:
One main reason electric motors were significant to industrialization in the late 19th century was that they enabled the widespread use of factory machinery powered by electric current instead of steam engines. This had several important effects:
1. Electric motors were cheaper and smaller than steam engines, so they could be used to power individual machines instead of an entire factory via a central steam plant. This allowed for more flexible manufacturing processes.
2. Electric motors could provide more precise and reliable power to machines, improving productivity and quality control. They were easy to start and stop and could run at multiple speeds.
3. Electric motors gave factory owners more freedom in arranging and rearranging machinery within factories. They were not tied to steam pipes and main shafts like steam-powered systems.
4. Electric motors simplified factory operations by eliminating belts, pulleys, gears and other transmission devices used with steam engines. This made factories cleaner, safer and easier to operate and maintain.
5. The increased use of machine tools like lathes, drill presses, saws and grinding wheels powered by electric motors allowed for mass production of interchangeable parts and standardized components. This revolutionized manufacturing processes.
So in summary, the widespread adoption of electric motors in factories during industrialization enabled the move away from steam power, allowed for more flexible and precise machine operation, and facilitated the rise of mass production techniques. They were thus a critical technological enabler of late 19th century industrialization.