Scientific and technological development began gaining importance during the First Industrial Revolution from 1760-1840. This period drastically changed European and American production methods, materials, and lifestyles. While progress can benefit humanity, it also often has negative environmental, ethical, or social consequences like child labor. During the Industrial Revolutions, poverty drove many parents to accept their children working long hours in factories, comprising 50% of the UK workforce. Works like Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" helped spread new cultural and scientific ideas challenging old religious concepts. Progress requires balancing benefits with responsibilities to avoid repeating mistakes of the past.