Imagine walking into a bustling workshop in the early 1800s: the clang of machinery echoes through the air, workers rush about tending to newly invented steam-powered equipment, and the faint smell of burning coal pervades the atmosphere. This is the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, an era that would forever change how goods are produced, how people work, and even how we think about design. Long before the term “industrial design” was formalized, the transformations of this period laid the groundwork for designers to thrive as specialized professionals who shape products to meet both mass-market demands and human needs.

In the ever-evolving world of business, economics, and politics, few ideologies spark as much debate as capitalism, socialism, and communism. Yet, despite the continuous criticism, capitalism faces —from widening income inequality to concerns about corporate greed— recent research shows that public sentiment toward capitalism has grown more favorable over time. Meanwhile, views on socialism and communism have remained relatively stable. This trend raises an important question: Why does capitalism, despite its flaws, continue to be the dominant and preferred economic system in public discourse?