The invention of the steam engine in the late 18th century was the primary cause of the Industrial Revolution. It enabled the mechanization of production, which led to a dramatic increase in productivity and economic growth.

The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of skilled labor and the rise of unskilled labor. This was due to the mechanization of production, which made it possible to replace skilled workers with unskilled workers who could operate machines.

Automation is the use of machines and technology to perform tasks that were previously done by humans. It is a process that has been going on for centuries, but it has accelerated in recent years with the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

Automation has led to the decline of jobs and wages in many industries. This is because machines and technology can often perform tasks more efficiently and cheaply than humans. As a result, many jobs that were previously done by humans are now being automated.

The future of work is uncertain, but it is likely that all of the above will happen. Automation will continue to lead to the decline of jobs in some industries, but new jobs will also be created in fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. There will also be a shift towards more flexible and remote work arrangements.