One of the most significant technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution that altered job markets was the steam engine. Invented and refined by figures like James Watt, the steam engine revolutionized transportation and manufacturing by allowing factories to operate machinery more efficiently and effectively. This innovation enabled the production of goods on a much larger scale and shifted jobs from traditional home-based crafts and agriculture to factories in urban areas. As a result, the steam engine contributed to rapid industrialization, altering social structures, leading to urbanization, and transforming labor markets, as people flocked to cities for new employment opportunities.