Industrial Revolution Timeline

Timeline created by Josh Curtis
In History
  • Jethro Tull's Seed Drill

    Jethro Tull's Seed Drill
    Jethro Tull was an agriculturer during the 18th century and pioneered the Seed Drill. Previous methods of sowing was achieved by hand, however, the seed drill was mechanical and moved at the pace of two horses. This created more accessibility for farmers and increased their produce five fold.
  • Flying Shuttle

    Flying Shuttle
    Invented by John Kay, the Flying Shuttle was an improved form of weaving with increased efficiency and ease of use. This small wooden shuttle would repeatedly be thrown over a loom to create fabric. It was an important move to mechanizing weaving as machines were later invented for faster spinning thread.
  • Spinning Jenny - James Hargreaves

    Spinning Jenny - James Hargreaves
    The Spinning Jenny enabled weavers to make eight times more produce than before. Original models could hold 8 spindles of yarn at a time and later models could hold 100. For manufacturers one of the main benefits of this machine was that workers didn't need to be skilled to use it.
  • Steam Engine

    Steam Engine
    Perhaps the greatest invention in history, the steam engine supplied constant power and was easily adaptable to various machines. Boulton and Watts built the machine using atmospheric pressure to power it rather than water which allowed for its use in factories. It was first used to manufacture fabric and sparked development for use in trains and ships.
  • Soho Foundry Birmingham - Watts & Boulton

    Soho Foundry Birmingham - Watts & Boulton
    Established by the creators of the steam engine this manufacturing plant was the first of its kind in the world. It's purpose was based on the production of steam engines. It prompted other factories to be built similarly because of the wealth that was involved. I think this was an important event in the Industrial Revolution because it was the first manufacturing plant and led others to do the same thing and quickly develop better machines and inventions.
  • Spinning Mule

    Spinning Mule
    The Spinning Mule was an elaborate machine that could manufacture fine quality threads. The mule was used for two centuries which represents the wonderful product it produced and how easy it was to use. However, it was too big to be used in weaving cottages so larger buildings were built to store them. The architects built the buildings with only these machines in mind and little interest in the workers. Conditions were appalling and injuries were extremely common.
  • Combination Act

    Combination Act
    After the growing unrest in workers surrounding their working conditions several protests were held to have their voice heard. Some workers joined unions and rebelled but the government and wealthy management turned them down. The Combination acts made it illegal for these workers to unite and push for better conditions. It sped up the process of prosecution and was a sign to the workers that consequences of death were real, pressuring them back into their jobs without a voice.
  • Hanging of the Luddites

    Hanging of the Luddites
    Luddites were a secretive group of textile artisans that came together to protest. They did this by sneakily planning attacks on factories in the dead of night. During a worker’s protest that most of London attended to, 8 accused Luddites were arrested and hung. The only evidence pointing to them being a Luddite was their attendance at the protest. I believe this showed that the government were desperate at the time to defend themselves and it revealed their ruthlessness during this period.
  • First Public Inter-City Rail Line

    First Public Inter-City Rail Line
    The Liverpool and Manchester railway was the first inter-city rail in the world. It connected the busy Manchester town to the port of Liverpool. It was the first fully steam powered railway and marks the time when ports and international exports became a necessity.
  • Factory Act

    Factory Act
    The Factory Act was the start of the British improving working conditions for the laborers in factories. The act said that children eight and under weren't allowed to work. 9-13 year old's could work a maximum of nine hours a day. 13-18, no more than 12 hours. This showed the government were making a change.
  • Telegraph Communications

    Telegraph Communications
    Through an electrical system of networks people could now send messages and communicate over long distances. It was demonstrated between Euston and Camden Town in London by Sir William Fothergill Cooke. The telegraph showed the potential to become a global communications device.
  • 500,000 attended strike

    500,000 attended strike
    Half a million people went on strike across England to protest against wage cuts. Several people were killed and many arrested. After the protest some were even sent to Australia to join the penal colonies. Although the many advancements in mechanizing jobs it was clear the government still weren't giving workers a voice and equal rights.
  • The Great Chartist Meeting

    The Great Chartist Meeting
    The Peoples Charter was a document published by the London Working Men's Association that quickly captured the attention of the "Chartists" (name given to people who supported the document). They wanted better wages, conditions and the right to vote. The Great Chartist Meeting drew attention from all over England and even the army was called for backup. The idea was they would walk from Kennington Common to Parliament and yield a huge petition.
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    Turnip Townshend Crop Rotation

    The four crop rotation system allowed for regeneration of land, better quality food and more produce. Wheat, Turnips, Barley and Cloves would be rotated through four fields. This method of farming was more efficient because the cloves and turnips would nourish the soil for better wheat and barley crops. During winter months livestock would then be fed turnips saving extra money and time.
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    Sewage was one of the biggest problems during the 1800's. Sanitation was horrific which led to the influx of diseases. Human waste was dumped in the towns drinking water and the streets were overflowing with faeces. Tuberculosis spread rapidly and quickly became deadly to the population. From 1800 to 1850 Tuberculosis was responsible for one third of all deaths.