A World of Industry

The Industrial Revolution

Industry has transformed our world. Before the Industrial Revolution began in 1760 people didn’t own much. Clothes for example, were handmade from local plants and animals and they lasted for many years. Goods that required a lot of work to produce, such as paper and glass, were expensive, and only the wealthy could afford them.

People grew and prepared food locally. In most cases they ate this food soon after harvesting or hunting. Some people used home-based preservation methods and stored food so they could eat it later.

The Industrial Revolution replaced many human workers with machines. Cheap mass-produced goods replaced expensive handmade goods. Often using new materials, like plastic, rather than more natural materials. As a result, goods became less expensive and were available in greater quantities.

As industry became more productive, more goods were made and sold at lower prices. Food was processed and packaged in ways to make it last longer and be transported to other places – including other countries.

Can you imagine what life would have been like before the Industrial Revolution?

Economy

You have probably heard people talking about the economy. The word economy describes the way that a country organises its use of money, goods, services and trade. Some countries have more developed economies than others. These countries are called developed or industrialised countries.

Developed countries have:

• strong economies
• a good standard of living
• good education and health care
• plenty of job opportunities.

Developed countries such as New Zealand have industries that make money. Industry involves changing raw materials into goods or providing useful services.

Countries with less developed economies are called developing countries. The word industry describes a group of businesses that produce a similar product or service. For example, the tourist industry. This industry includes; hotels, travel agents, rental car companies, airlines, railroads, and all the other companies who provide services to tourists.

A country's wealth depends on its industry. The more productive the industry, the greater the country’s wealth.

Primary Industries

Primary industries are those that grow and harvest plants and animals, and extract raw materials, to make useful items. These industries include:

• agriculture 
• aquaculture
• fishing
• forestry
• horticulture
• oil and gas extraction
• mining activities.

The primary sector also includes industries that change raw materials into usable products. For example, bakeries that make flour into bread and factories that turn milk into cheese. They also include industries that provide services and support such as transportation, education and research.

During this field trip, you will be looking at one of New Zealand’s primary industries; the apple industry. You will look at how apples are grown, selected, stored and exported.

Ready for a quiz? Try the "A World of Industry" interactive activity.