The first factories were powered by waterwheels. Those were subjected to seasonal variations and limited geographic possibilities, what gave negotiating power to labor. Therefore the industry switched to fossil fuels, so they could run when and where they wanted, preferably near a city with excess labor force. It made it more expensive to run, but it was easier to exploit labor so more profit.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

If there was room they'd put the factories as close to the coal fields as possible, and let the workers live in shanty towns.