Stepping into the story of one of the greatest periods in history; investigating why people should be grateful for the Industrial Revolution, even though there is much to dislike about industrialization.
Starting at the beginning in the British Isles; various factors contribute to the birth of the Industrial Revolution, including relative political stability, sophisticated financial institutions, colonial trade and a rising population of workers.
In Britain in the 18th century, new agricultural methods come into being; a look at some of these changes to agriculture, including different uses of the land, the introduction of new crops and the early mechanization of farming.
Traversing the country to see where industry takes off; starting with a detailed look at the advantages and dangers of life in London; shifting attention to provincial cities and towns, where industrialists face various challenges.
Exploring the world of 18th-century shipyards, where large-scale organization provides a blueprint for later factory-era industrialization; how ships are made; the challenges shipbuilders face, such as fires, rot and decay.
Turning to the actual process of industrialization that begins in the textile business; surveying the work of spinning and weaving textiles; learning about several key inventors; their innovations, such as the flying shuttle and the spinning jenny.
Patrick N. Allitt
Host
