What key development marked the first phase of the Industrial Revolution concerning manufacturing?

The first phase of the Industrial Revolution was primarily characterized by significant advancements in the mechanization of the textile industry. This period, which began in the late 18th century in Britain, saw the introduction of machinery that transformed how textiles were produced. Innovations such as the spinning jenny, the water frame, and the power loom revolutionized traditional handcrafting methods, greatly improving efficiency and productivity in fabric manufacturing.

The mechanization of the textile industry served as a catalyst for broader industrial changes, as it not only increased output but also reduced labor costs and created a demand for a workforce in factories. This shift laid the groundwork for the subsequent developments in mass production and automation that followed in later phases of the Industrial Revolution. While the rise of mass production and the invention of the assembly line are crucial to understanding industrialization, they were developments that became prominent after the initial mechanization phase—hence the mechanization of the textile industry is recognized as a defining feature of the first phase.