The product that revolutionized transportation in the 19th century due to the Industrial Revolution was the steam engine, especially as applied to rail transportation. Invented by James Watt in the late 18th century, steam engines became crucial in the 19th century for powering locomotives and ships. The construction of railroads, such as the Transcontinental Railroad in the U.S. and various rail systems in Europe, facilitated faster movement of goods and people, reduced travel times, and opened new markets. This transformation supported urbanization, industrial growth, and the expansion of trade networks, fundamentally changing societal structures and economic practices during that era.