Seth Adler Where Is Industry Distributed? Originated in northern England and southern Scotland in the latter 18th century. Diffused to Europe and North America in the 19th century. Origin of Industry Industrial Revolution ? Series of improvements in industrial technology that transformed the process of manufacturing goods. Resulted in new social, economic, and political inventions Started in the UK in the late 1700s Cottage Industry ? Manufacturing based in homes rather than in a factory. Before the Industrial Revolution The most important invention was the steam engine. James Watt 1769 Scotland Iron: The first industry to benefit from the steam engine. The engine provided heat for the ovens Henry Cort established an iron forge near Fareham, England.