The Industrial Revolution was a transformation from agrarian and craft-centered economies to economies characterized by industry and machine manufacturing (Bentley and Ziegler 652). It began in Britain in the mid-18th century and lasted until the 19th century (Bentley and Ziegler 652-653). Even though the Industrial Revolution was a radical and ongoing process, that does not mean it was a problem-free change. Many people during this period experienced both positive and negative effects throughout this development. The Industrial Revolution affected many parts of the world, including Britain in Western Europe, the Yangtze River Delta in China, and Japan (Bentley and Ziegler 652). Before the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing took place in people's homes, using hand tools or basic machines (A&E Television Network). Technological development contributed greatly to the development of the production of goods by machines rather than by hand and by energy sources such as coal and oil (Bentley and Ziegler). Without this technological development, the increase in productivity would not have occurred. Many advances lead to electrical machines, factories, and mass production. With more products being produced more quickly, a better transportation system was improving (A&E Television Network). One of the largest industries of the Industrial Revolution was textiles. Many women and children made pants, shirts, socks, bedspreads and other items with their little hands and fingers from fabric. As England's population grew, more and more people were willing to pay for these items instead of making them themselves. This began to lead to a new factory system. With “cotton becoming the most important medium of paper...... 5 million people. At the end of the 19th century, it affected around 390 million people. Rapid population growth reflects changing trends in fertility and mortality. Once medical advances were made, doctors were able to help prevent disease and death rates began to decline. Fertility rates began to increase because more infants were able to become adults, leading to the rapid industrialization of societies. The industrial revolution was finally becoming a success. Although the Industrial Revolution helped increase economic productivity through new technologies, including new textile machinery, factories, more advanced transportation, and population growth, the standard of living was very difficult. Many workers began to be replaced because the machines were more efficient. It was the start of a new way of life.