Robert Allen, in his book The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective, argues that demand factors played a crucial role in driving the adoption of major inventions during the Industrial Revolution. He emphasizes high wages, cheap energy, and cost of capital as key motivators for innovation. By analyzing case studies like the steam engine, cotton manufacturing, and iron smelting with coke, Allen shows how profitability alone explains innovation and industrialization rather than cultural or supply-side factors. His detailed examination of historical data paints a compelling picture of how economic incentives shaped the industrial landscape of pre-industrial Britain, challenging traditional theories of innovation.
https://rootsofprogress.org/robert-allen-british-industrial-revolution