Book Review

Introduction

Industrial Revolution is a significant historical event that has had a lasting impact on the world. It took place from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century, primarily in Britain, and marked a major turning point in the way goods were produced and the way people lived and worked. The Industrial Revolution brought about new advances in technology and manufacturing, which led to a significant increase in productivity and economic growth. However, it also brought about significant social, economic, and environmental changes, and its impact is still felt today. As such, the Industrial Revolution is a topic of ongoing discussion and research among scholars, historians, and economists. This book consist of 11 topics written by a historian named Thomas Crump and published in 2010. The book was purchased at a Big Bad Wolf event in 2016, and its contents have proven to be highly relevant and interesting, especially with the rise of discussions surrounding the 4th Industrial Revolution in 2017. As an authoritative source written by a seasoned historian, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives on the Industrial Revolution and its ongoing effects on society. I think it would be good if I could share with other people and simplify the content. Enjoy this effort and “happy reading”!

Preface

Book was written by Thomas Crump based on secondary published sources and by visiting to historical places in Europe, Germany, America and South Africa.

Author also relate his experience with his family connection direct and indirectly to the industrial revolution. Her wife’s family used to own factories in the textile town of Eirbergen, in the East Holland during the early Industrial Revolution. His family also made carpet in 19th century.

THE GREAT EXHIBITION, BRITISH ASCENDANCY AND THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The Great Exhibition

1 May 1851, held in Hyde Park, London and led by Prince Albert in a Crystal Palace- theme: industry – to display the fruits of industrial revolution to the world and gain some political mileage and purpose for the Kingdom. Four categories- raw materials, machinery , manufacturing and fine arts. British won 52 out of 78 medals.

The authors summaries the Great Exhibition as below.

  1. Industrial revolution until 1850 was almost entirely a British achievement, proceeded to conquer the world, and how the world presented in 1851 was not going to stand still in any respect- economic, political or cultural.
  2. The exhibition display the creation that had elapsed from 1769 – the year in which James Watt created the separate condenser, in which later opened the way for machinery of almost any kind to be powered by steam.

The world outside London

The author’s conclusion is that the various regions of the world experienced different impacts and outcomes from the industrial revolution. In France and other parts of Europe, there were violent worker uprisings in 1848, and the Great Exhibition served as a display of the success in overcoming that turmoil. The United States, Canada, and Latin America underwent a radical transformation, including the end of slavery. In Russia and China, trade with China through land led to a crisis and war with Britain, ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Chinese empire. Japan’s contact with the West was through a Dutch trading post before Commodore Perry’s arrival in 1853, while South-east Asia had a long history of colonial exploitation. In Australia and New Zealand, the discovery of gold and the Great Exhibition led to an expansion of mining investment, while the colonists began to come to terms with the Maori people and exploit the region’s agricultural potential. Overall, the author notes that different towns and villages played a role in the various components of the industrial revolution and the Great Exhibition.

THE ATHMOSPHERIC STEAM ENGINE

Thomas Newcomen’s Invention (1663-1729) – Invention of effective steam engine for mines. Solve the shortage of power by studying the theory of atmospheric pressure. After some 10 years of work, Newcomen and Calley invented a cock that would automatically send a jet of cold water directly into the cylinder, every time the piston reached the top of its stroke. Because the steam condensed almost immediately, the downstroke of the piston was almost instantaneous. His work improvise and extended by others and thus, starts the Industrial Revolution.

James Watt’s Revolution (1736-1819) – New invented method of lessening the consumption of steam and fuel in fire engine.

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