In 1840 the amount of steam power per worker in England was the same as in 1750. Total horsepower from steam only just matched water power in 1830.
And that was in the country using the most steam by far.
1. https://daviskedrosky.substack.com/p/a-study-in-steam
I recommend Dr. Kedrosky's blog in general, if you are interested in material progress.
That does not mean that innovations like the train and motors didn't transform society.
In 1840 the amount of steam power per worker in England was the same as in 1750. Total horsepower from steam only just matched water power in 1830.
And that was in the country using the most steam by far.
1. https://daviskedrosky.substack.com/p/a-study-in-steam
I recommend Dr. Kedrosky's blog in general, if you are interested in material progress.