This caused competition among the merchants. This led to increased costs for the merchants. As a result of these problems, most merchants took the step towards modern machinery. These machines were powered by the new steam engine, for greater production and also forced merchants to turn to factories for central control over the workers (Johnson 30). The steam engine proved itself very quickly within the textile industry. This proof was based on its massive production rates, as well as its reliability, unlike human workers. Finally, it helped to move small streamside companies into factories, which changed European society and overall urbanization. .
People farming the land also benefited from the steam engine. The steam engine could be efficiently used for plowing, cultivating, and clearing ground. "Great advances were also made in agriculture with the engines enabling greater acreage to come under the plough and production increased by the use of machines to do tasks formerly done by hand or by horses (Johnson 39)." Farmers could now produce crops in extreme numbers since manual labor was minimized so greatly. This made for cheaper prices and lower malnutrition rates.
The iron and coal industries also benefited from the integration of the steam engine. There was now a major increase for iron production, which called for more coal to fuel the new engines. Since the steam engine was used to mine coal, and because, "England had large deposits of coal to fuel the new steam engines, it enabled people to use more machines and to build larger factories (Johnson 47)." With more and more factories using the new efficient steam engines, it was forced to raise production and lower prices. This made for positive changes in the economy.
The importing and exporting of goods was revolutionized by the steam engine's ability to transport them efficiently and quickly. "The steam powered railroad changed geography and history.