Steam, Water & Hand Power in 1850 Manufacturing

Authors

• Jinyan Chang, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

1850s America stood at the crossroads of artisan craft and industrial machinery — the Census captured this transition at establishment level. Steam offered geographic freedom but required heavy capital. Water power was cheap but river-bound. Hand power remained the small-shop default. Understanding whether steam delivered a measurable productivity premium helps explain the pace and geography of early U.S. industrialization.

Comments

Faculty poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

Publication Information

Chang, Jinyan, "Steam, Water & Hand Power in 1850 Manufacturing" (2026). Fisher Showcase 2026. Paper 27.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/fsc2026/27

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