The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 1700s, and later extended to Europe and North America in the 1800s. It is really an important revolution in history because of its effects in later years, including our own. During the Revolution, machine power took the place of manpower; many products were now made by machines. "For centuries, architects had concentrated on designing religious buildings, castles and palaces, and country houses. The Industrial Revolution required such structures as factories, railroad stations, warehouses, and office buildings"(McGuinness. Influences). As factories increased, production also increased quickly. The world became smaller because of improving transportation-- automobiles, ships, and railroads became more widely used. The whole society was active in the development of new knowledge and technique, and in order to satisfy people's needs, there were new thoughts and ideas competing for attention.

In the years 1914 to 1918, the First World War took place in Europe and caused the death of a huge number of people as well as serious damage to property. After the 'Great War', people wanted to rebuild their homes; however, the economy was depressed by the war. In 1929, the Stock Market finally crashed and the 'Great Depression' began in 1930. "The major art deco skyscrapers were built largely between the end of World War I in 1918 and the mid-1930s. This bubble of economic activity, most of it set in motion before the economic hardship of the 1930s, encouraged innovation in tall buildings" (Hewitt. 4). All these events affected the thoughts and art styles, such as Art Deco, in the 1920s and 30s.