What two artifacts created between 1750-1870 do you believe are most novel in representing global industrialization?

In a thesis-based essay, explain the significance of each item to the Industrial Revolution as either an integral part or representation of the technological transition. Be sure to include an image of your selections either in the body of the paper or appendix. Each artifact should focus on a different aspect of life during this time; for example, if your first selection relates to transportation, then do not choose another one related to this sector. Your goal is to assemble two primary sources that highlight diverse points on the spectrum of physical remnants from this transformational period of world history.

To find selections, explore the websites from leading museums, universities, libraries, and cultural heritage centers, as they contain not only many of the foremost artifacts available, but also have informative articles and educational resources. In the interest of expanding your learning of this topic, do not reference any single institution's holdings more than once and do not use the artifacts already covered in the course.

With these primary sources, initially offer an educated interpretation of their importance in support of your thesis. Address each one individually, but also provide a unifying explanation of commonalities between them when you cover the overarching theme of this cultural inheritance.

When analyzing each object specifically, start by asking the following questions:

1. What kind of primary source is it?
2. Who is the author or creator (if known)?
3. Can you tell why it was made?
4. Who was the intended audience, user, or recipient?
5. How is it part of the Industrial Revolution?
6. What can we learn about history from this item?
7. What is your overall assessment of the artifact and its usefulness for the study of your topic?

Because I want to gauge how well you have learned the topic, working from the textbook alone (or any single source for that matter) will only hinder your progress, so use a variety to create a robust defense. To accomplish this, in addition to the abovementioned artifacts, you will locate two additional secondary sources (either scholarly articles and/or books) from outside the course. There is, however, one stipulation: Because I will be reviewing your sources, all information must be digital and either publicly available online or accessible through the National University Library website; therefore, physical books or materials only in print are impermissible.

To summarize the use of sources, a complete submission will consult and list in the works cited a total of five: the textbook, two artifacts, and two academic secondary sources. An exemplar essay will synthesize all these materials into an insightful explanation of the prompt directed by a clearly articulated thesis.