First-Industrial Revolution
Looking at the impacts of the first-industrial revolution on the fur trade and its impact on society and the economy.
Rise of Technology & Industry
The rise of technology led to the birth of the first-industrial revolution.
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It changed how work was done and how goods were produced. We were able to produce goods at a rate unseen before because of technology.
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Goods became more accessible to many communities because they were able to be mass produced.
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Affordable beaver pelt hats were produced and this increased the amount of people who owned them.
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There was an increase in trade as demands increased
Fur into Fashion
Fashion
How fur became a symbol of wealth during the rise of industrialization
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How fashion translated into wealth?
Before industrialization allowed for furs to become more widely available, only the wealthy were able to afford beaver pelt hats.
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The increase in wealth due to industrialization created a society that wanted to wear their wealth.
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The fur coat was created in the 1880s as a signifier of the wealth during this time period.
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Effects of Fashion on Fur Trade
Technological Advancement
Technology allowed for the creation of lower priced beaver pelt hats. Technology that was advanced at the time was able to use one pelt for several hats, creating a cheaper alternative.
Fashion = Wealth
Before industrialization, only high class individuals could afford beaver pelt hats because they were expensive. beavers were scarce in Europe so they were considered a symbol of wealth on the wearer.
Demand for Fur Hats
Because fashion was a way of wearing wealth many people wanted fur hats. After finding the ability to make several hats from one pelt, they were made more widely available. As more people wanted them demand increased
Mass Production
Because they were able to produce more hats with pelts they were put into mass production. They were producing vast amounts of hats at a higher rate. This required more raw materials which also explains the peak in the fur trade
Connection to Modern Times
The connection to modern day production and how industrialization has defined how we work today
With the rise of industrialization, we also see the emergence of the alienation of labour in factory jobs.
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We can see our modern tastes for mass producing popular items as well.
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Fur today still remains as a symbol of wealth and luxury
Author of First-Industrial Revolution
