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The advent of the Industrial Revolution further revolutionized wool processing, significantly boosting production capabilities through innovations like the Flying Shuttle and the Spinning Jenny. These technological advancements facilitated mass clothing manufacture, transforming textiles into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Continued interest in animal skins and furs led to aggressive wildlife exploitation, foreshadowing conflicts like the Beaver Wars, which spotlighted how interconnected fur demand was with broader geopolitical dynamics. The legacy of these economic pursuits continues today, with today’s leather and fur industries still carrying religious and cultural significance in many parts of the world.