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Jethro Tull Invents The Seed Drill
In the year 1701 Jethro Tull invented the seed drill. The seed drill is a sowing device that places seeds in soil, and then covers them. Before the invention farmers were forced to plant by hand, which required more time and money. -
John Kay Invents Flying Shuttle
In the year 1733 John Kay invented the Fly Shuttle, a device that allowed a single weaver to make wider fabrics, and dramatically increase production. The device was basically a rod that would spin and spool the yarn into cloth. The invention created a large demand for yarn which eventually inspired the creation of the Spinning Jenny and the Water Frame. -
James Watt Builds The First Steam Engine
Although James Watt did not invent the steam engine, in 1765, he made it dramatically more efficient. James' partner Mathew Bolton took their new invention, the Bolton Watt, and made it popular by using his marketing skills. The two entrepreneurs complemented each other, which was the primary reason to their success. -
Marx and Engels Publish The Communist Manifesto
In the year 1848 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels published the Communist Manifesto. Engel's father owned a factory, and while growing up he realized the brutal working conditions. This inspired him to become a political scientist, where he realized that there were two main categories of humans, the have-nots (Proletariats) and the haves (Bourgeois). The ideas of the two men will change Russia, North Korea, China, Cuba, Vietnam and many more countries. -
US Civil War Ends; US Experiences Technological Boom
In the year 1865 the US experiences a massive technological boom when Samuel Slater smuggled British textile manufacturing ideas from Brittan. When he arrived in the United States he build many textile mills, and made himself very wealthy. By the time he passed away, he owned 13 mills. -
Germany Becomes Dominant Industrial Power In Europe
In the year 1870 Germany becomes the dominant industrial power in Europe. Germany imported British equipment and engineers, and sent their children to England to learn industrial management. Germany build railroads that linked its growing manufacturing cities, such as Frankfurt with the Ruhr Valley's coal deposits. In addition to this, Germany's economic strength allowed them to build a very strong military. -
British Unions Win Right To Strike
Workers in factories suffered from low pay, long work hours, abuse, and dangerous machinery. In attempt to better the conditions workers formed Unions, a group of organized people who represent an entire group, to pressure factory owners and managers. For years the British government denied workers the right to form unions because they saw it as a threat to social order. In 1799 the Combination Act was passed and ordered no unions. Eventually, the Combination Act was repealed in 1824.
