Creation of mechanical devices having nanometer tolerances and motions (MEMS)
To a great extent, the industrial revolution occurred because it became possible to shape mechanical objects, and thus create new types of machines. Before the industrial revolution, it was possible to routinely make objects that had dimension on the order of a few hundredths of in inch. An artist could paint pictures; a potter could make dishes and pots. After the industrial revolution, it was possible to routinely make machines that had tolerances of a few thousands of an inch (25 to 100 microns). Of course this gave way to the invention of the steam engine, railroads, the car, and airplane transportation.
With MEMS technology it is now possible to use machining technologies to create machines that are less than the size of a human hair. This ability is presently used in the sensors that activate airbags in cars, set the frequency of computers, and allow digital projection.
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