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Invention of the Stocking Frame
In the late 1500's, Reverand William Lee invented the Stocking Frame, A contraption used to Knit Stockings. Rev. Lee was born near Nottingham, and was said to have gone to Christ College in Cambridge in May in 1579. It appears that he was removed from St. John's in 1582 or 1583, taking his B.A. with him. Records say that he was expelled from the school for marrying, but that is false due to his lack of actually being a fellow at the school. -
Languedoc Canal
Beginning in 1516, the canal was long discussed before any action was taken to actually build it. The canal is a work of great grandeur, Lous XIV's mark. The Project took 14 years until it was finallly ready to be open and viewed by the public. It crosses through rivers, passes through tunnels, Uses 3 major aquaducts, is 620 feet above the Meditteranean sea level, has 100 locks, and flows over numerous road bridges built over it. It is the largest project undertaken in the 1600's. -
Boom of the Iron Industry
Developments in the iron industry also played a central role in the Industrial Revolution. In the early 18th century, Englishman Abraham Darby discovered a cheaper, easier method to produce cast iron, using a coke-fueled furnace. In the 1850s, British engineer Henry Bessemer developed the first inexpensive process for mass-producing steel. Both iron and steel became essential materials, used to make everything from appliances, tools, and machines, to ships, buildings, and infrastructure. -
Successful Steam Engine
Thomas Newcomen invented the first commercially successful steam engine in 1712. It helped drain mines and power waterwheels for many years, no changes were made to it until 1769. Newcomen came together with Savery to create a better steam engine and changed the way of mining for years to come. -
Flying Shuttle
In 1733, John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle. The Flying Shuttle helped weavers weave faster. Originally, Looms required two people in order to function. With the Flying Shuttle, people were able to do the work of two with only one. That meant that there was a mass production of textiles. -
Transportation in England
Transportation of materials and finished products to factories in Europe was limited because of the costs where they had to go by road. Canals brought the first change in transportation; they were built directly into the major cities and that of course provided an easier way of trading and transportation. Rivers were also improved; they were implemented with secure bridges for people to cross over. The Iron Bridge built-in 1779, was one of the first reliable crossings of the river in the country -
Invention of the Spinning Jenny
These inventions facilitated the handling of large quantities of harvested cotton. In 1764, a British carpenter and weaver named James Hargreaves invented an improved spinning jenny, a hand-powered multiple spinning machine that was the first machine to improve upon the spinning wheel. -
Health and Morals of Apprentices Act
Hours of work were limited to 12 per day, with no night work allowed. Employers were to provide education, decent clothing, and accommodation. Inspectors were to enforce the Act and appoint visitors. For all textile factories employing over 20 persons, proper ventilation was to be provided and mills were to be whitewashed twice a year. -
Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Politics
Before 1832, only 6% of the male population could vote in Europe. Mostly aristocrats who owned large plots of land in the countryside and other property were allowed to vote. By 1832, the middle class factory owners wanted political power to match with what they had found as new economic rise. This mad the Reform Bill in 1832 which gave middle class men the right to vote. Now, 20% of the male population could vote. -
Factory Acts For Better Working Conditions
No children under 9 were to work in factories (silk mills exempted).Children under 13 years were to work no more than 9 hours per day and 48 hours per week. Children under 18 were not to work nights. 4 paid Inspectors were appointed. Two 8-hour shifts per day of children were to be allowed. -
Coal Mines Act
The Mines Act of 1842 prohibited the employment of females and boys below the age of 10. It also appointed inspectors to see that the provisions of the act were enforced. Inspection of mines was strengthened in 1850 when inspectors were given permission to go underground to investigate conditions, and a Royal School of Mines was established the following year to train inspectors. In 1860 the lower limit for the age of boys working in the mines was raised to 12. Various safety measures were intro -
The Great Stink of London
The crisis came to a peak in the 'Great Stink' of London in 1858. A bill was rushed through Parliament and became law in 18 days, to provide more money to construct a massive new sewer scheme for London and to build the Embankment along the Thames in order to improve the flow of water and of traffic. -
Effects on the Rest of the World
The quick industrialization across Europe during the 19th century led to a great increase in goods produced as well as a demand for raw materials.
