key events from the Industrial Revolution By emily.smith.03 Jan 1, 1694 The Bank of England is Established Mar 4, 1709 Abraham Darby develops a blast furnace capable of producing high-quality iron Mar 12, 1712 Thomas Newcombe develops the first practical steam engine Period: Mar 4, 1730 to Mar 4, 1780 The invention of new and larger spinning and weaving machines shifts the textile industry into factories Mar 12, 1750 Enclosures of farming land accelerate in Britain Mar 12, 1769 James Watt invents a steam engine capable of providing continuous power Mar 12, 1779 Samuel Crompton invents the spinning mule Mar 12, 1783 - The United States of America is born when the American colonies win independence from Britain Mar 12, 1783 Henry Cort’s ‘puddling’ process further improves the quality of iron products Mar 12, 1785 The Boulton and Watt steam engine is first used in textiles factories Mar 12, 1788 First British fleet arrives at Botany Bay (Sydney) Mar 12, 1789 – The French Revolution begins Mar 12, 1801 The first official population census is taken in Britain Mar 12, 1803 – British found the new colony of Van Diemen’s land (Tasmania) Mar 12, 1813 The first working steam locomotive train, known as Puffing Billy, is built Mar 12, 1825 The first English public steam railway (from Stockton to Darlington) is opened Mar 12, 1830 Railway building begins in France and Germany Mar 12, 1842 Samuel Morse develops the single wire telegraph Mar 12, 1851 Australia’s gold rush begins Mar 12, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell patents the first telephone Mar 12, 1879 Thomas Edison invents the first reliable electric light bulb Mar 12, 1889 Eiffel Tower completed in Paris, France Mar 12, 1903 Wright brothers invent modern flight Mar 12, 1913 Henry Ford mass produces the Model T Ford automobile