The Industrial Revolution, spanning from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, introduced significant changes in the workforce. It marked a shift from agrarian economies to industrialized and urban centers, fundamentally altering labor dynamics. New technologies led to the rise of factories, requiring workers to adopt regimented schedules rather than seasonal agricultural cycles. This shift resulted in the growth of wage labor, often under poor conditions, with many individuals, including women and children, taking factory jobs. The period also witnessed labor movements advocating for workers’ rights, which eventually led to reforms regarding working conditions, hours, and wages, laying the groundwork for modern labor laws.