Energy Supplied per Job in the Steel Industry of Ural in the Late 19th and in the Early 20th Centuries

Abstract

The article contains the analysis of transformation in energy supply at factories of the steel industry in Ural from 1882 to 1911. The analysis was based on the materials of Statistical Compilations on Mining Industry of Russia regarding such indicators as: engine power per worker, fuel supply per worker and correlation between production workers and related workers. The study observes the impact of economic conditions and other factors on energy supply dynamics. Three stages in energy supply development were determined (from the 1880s to mid-1890s, second half of the 1890s and the early 20th century). The paper specifies the period of time of the main changes, which took place during the economic crises and the recession of the early 20th century. The text concluded that development of energy supply was due to the increased productivity of related workers, as well as to replacing water wheels with turbines and steam engines, while the amount of fuel supply per worker remained almost at the same level. As a result, the correlation between production workers and related workers has changed, as well as the structure of power facilities.