No Industrial revolution

[tom]

How foreordained was the Industrial Revolution? If it had not "taken off", how would world history have progressed along its "natural course" until the present day?

[Faeelin]

Not sure how it'd go, but I'd argue that after 1588 it's ineveitable.

[Scott Rosenthal]

Really? The armada was that important?

For the record, I'd argue that it was inevitable as well, but I'd push it back a bit...say to the Battle of Tours....