July 19, 2022

How the four industrial revolutions have changed the world

When you hear the term ‘industrial revolution’ – what does it bring to mind? Perhaps factories in Victorian-era Great Britain and images of archaic locomotives (scenes which came to Australian shores by the mid-late 1800s). Did you know that this revolution is just the first of four that have changed

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

July 19, 2022

How the four industrial revolutions have changed the world

When you hear the term ‘industrial revolution’ – what does it bring to mind? Perhaps factories in Victorian-era Great Britain and images of archaic locomotives (scenes which came to Australian shores by the mid-late 1800s). Did you know that this revolution is just the first of four that have changed the face of the world in the time since? Here, we’ll take a look at each of the four industrial revolutions and how they have altered global society. The first industrial revolution When was it? Between approximately 1760-1820 – concentrated mainly in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and the United States. Related technologies were then taken to other parts of the world. What changed? Handheld tools were replaced by huge machines that were powered by steam or water and enabled the creating of factory production. As working life changed the world over, incomes and populations soared, setting the human race onto a path of continued growth that we remain in now. How have we changed? As factories continued to be made and everyday items became increasingly monetised, one of the unforeseen results of this revolution was the rise of capitalism in its most modern sense. This alteration to how we live is often labelled as the most significant change that the human race has ever experienced. The second industrial revolution (The technical revolution) When was it? This period of near-constant scientific and technological discovery is generally placed from the late 1800s until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. What changed? Advancements in medicine saw previously widespread diseases start to be eradicated, while railroads became widespread and energy, water and sewage systems becoming more sophisticated saw the rapid expansion of urban areas the world over. Electrification also streamlined many of the manufacturing processes that had emerged in the first industrial revolution. How have we changed? The inventions of the telephone, automobile and aeroplane made the world a much smaller place for many people and helped to continue the globalisation that countries such as Britain had previously began in the previous era. Increased productivity and the creation of many modern business practices resulted in likely the quickest economic growth periods the world has ever seen. The third industrial revolution (The digital revolution) When was it? The latter third of the 20th century, starting in the late 1960s – some advancements extend this era into the modern day. What changed? Analogue and mechanical technology was replaced in many cases by digital technologies. The mass production of certain components led to the rise of computers and mobile phones – both which were underpinned by wireless technologies like mobile networks and the internet. How have we changed? Business again was turbocharged, with the internet in particular leading to the creation of completely new industries. Forex traders can now operate in seconds, retail business can offer goods across the world and brands subsequently are marketed on a global scale before local considerations. The fourth industrial revolution When was it? We’ve only just entered into Industry 4.0 by most experts’ reckoning and may be still in the first decade of it. What changed? The rise of technological advancements like artificial intelligence, augmented reality and complex robotics are blurring the lines between human and mechanical experiences. Manufacturing processes that have emerged in the previous revolutions are now increasingly automated and run largely without human influence. How have we changed? Cloud computing, social media and the internet of things mean we are now more connected across the world than ever before. The rapid change has led to governments – including Australia’s – needing to draft new legislation so that regulations remain relevant in our changing world.

Read More »

Five Different Ways to Store Screws, Nails, and Other Fasteners

Small items like screws, nails and other fasteners can easily get misplaced or lost if you do not have an effective storage solution. To ensure you can always find the fasteners you need when you need them, check out the following five helpful storage tips. 1. Buy an Organiser with Compartments You can purchase a wide variety of organisers and boxes with compartments that are ideal for storing your screws, nails, and other fasteners. Just make sure there are plenty of differently sized compartments so that you can store screws, nails, and so on of varying sizes. Also, ensure you always put the right fastener in the right compartment, otherwise, you might only be able to find a short nail when you need a long one, for instance. Clear plastic storage containers are best because you will then be able to see into the compartments to find the right fasteners and identify when you are starting to run out of certain types. 2. Use a See-Through Bag for Assorted Fasteners No matter how careful we all are in placing nails, screws, and other fasteners in the right places, we all end up with some oddball fasteners, so it is a good idea to keep a sturdy see-through bag where you can place all of your spare screws and nails. Whenever you need that one nail or screw that you do not generally keep, you can simply delve into your bag of assorted fasteners. 3. Use a Piece of Foam to Store Fasteners You Will Be Reusing If you need to store screws or nails that have come out of an item of furniture that you are repairing or moving, it is imperative that you keep those fasteners safe and make them easy to identify and use in the right place when it is time to reassemble the item of furniture. An excellent solution is to use a piece of foam. You can simply stick the nails, screws, or other fasteners into the foam in the order that they have been removed. To make things easier, write on the foam to show where each screw or nail belongs. You could even draw a basic diagram of the piece of furniture on the foam and place the fasteners in the appropriate places. This technique will save you a lot of time when you are ready to reassemble items like furniture. And speaking of furniture, you may be interested in the current furniture trends. 4. Consider Getting Flat Pouches Printed to Clearly Label Different Screws and Nails To ensure you can find the right fasteners for the job at hand, it is a very good idea to clearly label the different types of fasteners you have. One simple way of doing that, and storing your fasteners safely, is to get custom flat pouches that are clearly labelled, identifying the different screws and nails inside the pouches. You can then easily store all of the pouches inside a strong box, bag, or another container. 5. Use a Wax Ring as a Temporary Storage Solution If you require temporary storage for your screws and nails while you are working on a project, consider using a wax ring, or indeed any kind of block of wax. The material is ideal for sticking screws and nails into so that they do not get lost while you are working on construction projects. There is nothing worse than losing that one screw you really need, so using a wax ring is a simple but very effective solution. Furthermore, an added advantage of using a wax ring is that the screws will be lubricated when you pull them out of the wax, making it easier to drive the screws.

Read More »