The term “industrial” in literature is remarkably versatile, serving to evoke both the tangible processes of manufacturing and the broader social, political, and cultural transformations accompanying modernity. Authors use it to denote everything from reforms in urban planning and production—as seen in discussions of industrial reformers who shape cities ([1]) and the revolutionary changes of the Industrial Revolution ([2], [3])—to critical examinations of societal inequities and power structures, where “industrial” characterizes organizational conditions and democratic deficits ([4], [5]). In some works, the term also extends to describe practical uses and technical applications, such as in assessments of materials for industrial purposes ([6]), while others blend it with aesthetic or philosophical critique, contrasting the cold mechanization of mass production with nuanced human experience ([7], [8]). Thus, “industrial” becomes a multifaceted signifier in literature, encapsulating both the promise and the pitfalls of an era defined by rapid transformation.