The development often attributed to sparking the Industrial Revolution in Britain is the invention and implementation of the steam engine. Invented by James Watt in the late 18th century, this technology revolutionized transportation and powered machines in factories. Its efficiency and capability allowed for increased production and facilitated the movement of goods and raw materials. The use of steam power in industries such as textiles and iron significantly boosted productivity, leading to a shift from agrarian economies to industrial urban centers. This technological progress laid the foundation for broader economic and social changes that characterized the Industrial Revolution.