Before the advent of electric motors, most things were done by hand (manually).
Electric Motor Shops – have the distinguish privilege of being the first modern electrical mechanicalized repair Shop. In early days, they sold and repaired pumps and electric motors (electric apparatuses), often times their own private brand. The industry basically was fragmented, with each shop doing their own thing. Over time, the industry saw consolidation, with the emergence of GE & Westinghouse.
In the beginning, most employees were engineers, as electric motors were considered the cutting edge technology of that day. But as knowledge of it became more common place, most employees today are technicians/mechanics.
Electric motors enabled advancement:
Tools/Machinery that allow for greater torque, power and mobility, then were otherwise available.
Being compact, it fostered a number achievements such as the electric bike, car, train and plane.
Electric motors on water pumps helped the transfer of water from farther away, allowing the irrigation of crops and piping of water to urban areas.
High powered fans to keep food preserved longer and homes warm in the winter.
Its safe to say, the electric motor is responsible for a great deal of progress in the past century. Interestingly enough, the Electric Motor Shops of old are still around. Some of them almost 150 years old! Making Electric Motor Shops some of the oldest, still operating companies in America.