When the population increased,there was a demand for goods of better quality. These goods had to be produced in factories and workshops where hundreds of workers were employed. The invention of the steam engine helped manufacturers by giving them cheaper power to work their machines. Machines took the place of men and production was increased. People were able to buy articles of good quality at low prices. This is called mass production. Mass production means the manufacture of a large number of identical articles by machinery. Cars, radios and cameras are examples of the many types of articles that are mass-produced today