Technological innovations like the Spinning Jenny (a machine that could spin several strands of thread at once) and the steam engine (this could drive all sorts of machines) meant production of goods like cloth could be achieved in factories rather than in the home.
In the past people had worked mainly in the home and in family groups. Some of the jobs, like weaving, were highly skilled.
Now these jobs were carried out in factories and were low paid and unskilled jobs.
For some people this was an improvement as they had guaranteed year-round labour. For others it meant lower pay and forced them to move to cities. â
