Manchester played a central role in the Industrial Revolution and developed into a vibrant center for manufacturing, trade and commerce. In its heyday, the city was a center of textile production, with mills and factories along the banks of the River Irwell. The growth of the cotton industry, fueled by the introduction of new machinery, made Manchester a major economic and cultural center. Today, the city is still celebrated for its industrial heritage, and many of the old mills and warehouses have been repurposed as museums, galleries and cultural spaces.