The Industrial Revolution substantially increased the material wealth of world. It ended the dominance of the agricultural industry. The factory owners, especially the textile mill owners had the most economic power during the early Industrial Age. The textile industry became the biggest industry and employed the most labourers during the early years of the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, merchants held the economic power. They would supply the raw materials to manufacture cloth and pick up the finished products. Women would weave this cloth at home using hand-powered looms.