What were the main energy sources during the Industrial Revolution?

The primary energy sources during the Industrial Revolution were coal and steam power. This era, which began in the late 18th century, marked a significant shift in how energy was harnessed for production and transportation.

Coal became the dominant fuel source due to its abundance and high energy content. It was extensively mined and used to power steam engines, which revolutionized transportation with locomotives and steamships, and also fueled industrial machinery in factories. The steam engine, developed and improved upon by inventors such as James Watt, translated the thermal energy generated from coal into mechanical energy, enabling unprecedented advancements in industry.

While other energy sources like water and wind power were utilized before and during the Industrial Revolution, they were not the main drivers of the large-scale industrialization that characterized this period. Solar energy and natural gas were not significantly harnessed until much later, and electricity as a widespread power source emerged towards the end of the Industrial Revolution. Geothermal energy was not a notable contributor during this time either. Thus, coal and steam power fundamentally transformed the way societies operated, driving economic growth and industrial advancements.