How did Greece's first internationally oriented commercial and maritime center transform into a small industrial town? This study attempts to trace the process of this transformation, based on long-term research of archival and other sources from the era, as well as the tangible remains of Ermoupoli's industrial past.

Focusing on the external factors and circumstances, the details of the creation and management of industrial enterprises, the tug-of-war between traditional craftsmanship and new technology, and the social formation/reformation of the town, this two-volume work, which is the result of extensive research, aims to provide insights for understanding the history of Greek industry.