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Jethro Tull invents the seed drill
Jethro Tull created the Seed Drill in 1701 which efficiently sowed seeds in neat rows. -
John Kay invents flying shuttle
In 1733, John Kay invented the flying shuttle which doubled the work a weaver could accomplish in a day. -
James Watt builds the first steam engine
Though the steam engine was invented prior to Watt's birth, Watt improved upon the design, making it more practicle and usable for many industries. -
Marx and Engels publish The Communist Manifesto
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publsihed " The Communist Manifesto" which argued that human societies have always been divided into warring classes. -
US Civil War ends; US experiences technological boom
The US was primarily an agricultural society until the Civil War ended. The country then experienced a technological boom. -
Germany becomes dominant industrial power in Europe
Germany began to adopt British engineering models and equipment. They soon built railroads that linked manufacturing cities such as Frankfurt, and the coal and iron ore deposits of Ruhr valley. -
British Unions win right to strike
Factory workers endured long hours and horrible and dangerous working conditions. They soon decided to form unions and began to strike. The British government passed the Combination act which forbid unions and strikes. However, factory workers continued to go on strike and eventually, Parliament repealed the Combination Act.
