Britain's Industrial Age

The Bridgewater Canal opens

1761

First man made canal

Roughly 10 million tons of coal had been mined

1800

Cotton becomes Britain’s biggest export, overtaking wool.

1803

The first large-scale Luddite riot took place in Arnold, Nottingham resulting in the destruction of machinery.

1811

The Luddites were a secret oath-based organization of English textile workers in the 19th century, a radical faction which destroyed textile machinery as a form of protest.

Frame-Breaking Act

1812

In response to the riots, Parliament passed a law making the destruction of industrial machines punishable by death.

The impact of industrialisation and creation of cities leads to a cholera epidemic across towns in Britain.

1848

Rural to urban migration results in over half the population of Britain now residing in towns.

1851

The British shipbuilding company Palmer Brothers & Co opens in Jarrow. The same year, the first iron screw collier, the John Bowes is launched.

1852

London’s First Drinking Fountain

1859

The first fountain was built in 1859 to great fanfare, and at its peak was being used by around 7000 people a day.

The first iron warship, HMS Warrior is launched.

1860

Extension of the Factory Act

1867

The Factory Act is extended to include all workplaces employing more than fifty workers.

The TUC (Trade Unions Congress) is formed

1868

The Chimney Sweepers Act

1875

New law prohibited boys from climbing chimneys to clean them.

The industry of Great Britain reaches its peak

1912

The textile industry producing around 8 billion yards of cloth.

World War I

1914

Changes to the industrial market shifting toward war supplies, and foreign markets setting up their own manufacturing industries, the golden age of British industry has come to an end.