The Origin and Development of Industrial Culture

This chapter traces the origin and evolution of industrial culture, covering ancient handicrafts, modern industry, and the Needham Question. It posits that primitive tool-making (e.g., stone tools, pottery) embedded the initial cultural genes of industry. These genes were inherited and developed through ancient Chinese handicrafts (e.g., silk, porcelain) and Western medieval guilds, preserving core elements like craftsmanship and efficiency. The British Industrial Revolution is analyzed as the turning point toward modern industry, driven by new machinery (e.g., steam engines), institutional innovations, market growth, and a cultural shift toward scientific rationality. The chapter also discusses the Needham Question, exploring cultural constraints (e.g., traditional thought) that hindered China’s transition to industrial civilization. The analysis emphasizes technological revolutions and industrial transformations as the core drivers of industrial culture’s evolution, providing a historical perspective on its intrinsic link to human progress.