1. Topic 8: People and Machines
Mechanical Systems
Topic 8: People and Machines

2. Technology and Machines
Scientists and technology provide us with machines that help to make our daily tasks easier.
However along with that, machines can also create problems and challenges.
As cities grow and population increases, machines such as the “sky train” were built to make transportation easier.

3. The Industrial Revolution
Simple machinery had been taking the place of hand labour since the year The water driven spinning machine was introduced in 1769.
It could do the work of 12 workers.
A combination of events in the late 1700’s transformed England and the world.
First came James Watt’s invention of an efficient steam engine in 1769.

4. Mass Production
A year later, Henry Cort developed a method of making iron using coal for fuel instead of wood. The iron to build machines and the engines to drive them led to rapid development of mass-production industry.
Mass production is the manufacturing of large quantities of standardized items by standardized mechanical processes.

5. Within a few years, small towns such as Manchester, and Birmingham in England became industrialized cities, teeming with factories.
See fig 4.65B 343 again.

6. Industrialization led to great social change
Industrialization led to great social change. Unable to compete with new factories, the spinners, weavers, and craftspeople from villages flocked to the cities to find work.
Many people wonder if technology changes society. Do you think cities are so large because we have vehicles, or do we have vehicles because cities are so large.

7. There may be alternatives to gasoline powered vehicles.
Some of these are solar power, electrical power, and hydrogen fuel cells.
Hydrogen fuel cell is a chemical reaction that uses hydrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere to make electricity.
Exhaust is water that is clean enough to drink.

8. When you set out to design a new technology or improve on an existing one, you must start with a clear understanding of what you want the technology to do.
This means you must be very specific about the task you wish to accomplish.
Scientists and technicians must always ask questions, evaluate their work, and decide if changes need to be made.

9. See fig 4.71A pg The workers are testing the seatbelt on a pregnant dummy. They do this for the best safety for wearer.
In fig 4.71B pg 349 the chair is being strength tested.
Over the years there have been many mechanical advances that make life easier for everyone. Look on pg 349 fig to see the advances of wheel chairs.