The Industrial Revolution was a period of economic transformation in the 18th and 19th centuries. It marked the shift from agrarian and handicraft economies to industrialized, urban ones. The revolution was fueled by advancements in agriculture, such as increased food production and the use of machines on farms. This led to a surplus of workers who migrated from rural areas to industrial towns. Additionally, innovations like steam engines powered factories, locomotives, and ships while creating demand for coal and iron resources.