The immense economic and social transformations of the Industrial Revolution left almost no one untouched in those societies that experienced it most fully. Its impact unfolded gradually and varied greatly across social classes; among men, women, and children; and over time. In seeking to understand how individuals experienced and responded to this unprecedented transformation, historians have at their disposal a wealth of evidence, both documentary and visual. Each of the documents in this section evokes a particular experience or understanding of industrialization in its early stages. In the Visual Sources feature that follows, the images also offer a range of perceptions, while the Portrait of Ellen Johnston provides yet another perspective. Taken together, these sources offer rich material for reflecting on this decisive turning point in the human journey.