The Industrial Revolution was one of history's most important periods, because our factories and production systems have evolved tremendously since the 18th century. In this timeline, I will cover 20 of the most influential moments of the Industrial Revolution. Click on images to see source.
By: Kiki Pichini
HIS 102
Professor Christopher Holcom
CCCOnline
3/30/2018
1712: Thomas Newcomen invents the Newcomen atmospheric engine, the first engine to use steam to operate. Although the engine was not used much when it was first invented, it made a huge contribution to many other inventions later on in the Industrial Revolution. The engine operates by compressing steam and creating a vacuum, as seen in the animation above. (Click animation for description and reference.)
1733: James Kay invents the "Flying Shuttle", a simple weaving machine. The machine allowed workers to weave much wider fabrics, something that had great influence on the industry. At the time, the machine was said to have sped up the process, while at the same time halving the labor force required. In addition, the machine was later mechanized, turning into what we now know as an automatic machine loom.
1764: James Hargreaves invents the "Spinning Jenny", a machine that allowed a single worker to spin 8 or more spools of yarn or thread at a time. This machine was extremely influential because it sped up the textile-making process significantly. The animation above shows a man operating an advanced Spinning Jenny.
1769: James Watt patents an improved version of Newcomen's steam engine, the 'Watt Steam Engine'. Watt's version of the engine included a separate condenser, improving the efficiency. Watt's steam engine was later used in the first trains, factories, and machines throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The animated video above shows an operating Watt engine.
1774: Samuel Crompton invents the "Spinning Mule", a machine that combined spinning and weaving techniques. This sped up the production of yarns and wool. At the peak there were over 50 million mule spindles in the area of Lancashire alone. The image above shows an original spinning mule that was built by Crompton himself.
1785: Edmund Cartwright invents the power loom, a tool that was one of the main developments in the weaving industry during the Industrial Revolution. The loom was automated 50 years later with the addition of a Watt engine. Even before the automation, the loom had the capability to shorten the textile making process significantly. The loom was powered by a line shaft and alcohol. By 1850, over 250,000 looms were in operation in English factories.
1790: Richard Arkwright, an English inventor and entrepreneur, made the decision to switch his factories from water to steam-powered Watt engines. This was a huge decision, since Arkwright's factories were some of the biggest in the industry. This also signified that Watt engines were gaining popularity for their efficiency and reliability.
1793: The Industrial Revolution comes to the United States. After Samuel Slater opened a textile factory in Rhode Island, the industrial Revolution began in the US as well.
1794: Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin, a machine that separates the seeds of the cotton flower from the fibers. This was a huge deal at the time, because it saved many people from having to pick apart the pieces by hand. The tool also helped separate the parts cleanly, so that more undamaged cotton could be used for textiles. The image above shows an original cotton gin.
1816: George Stephenson patents a steam engine-powered locomotive. The locomotive was designed to travel on rails, an it operated by burning coal to produce steam. The train was also the first to carry passengers. The invention gave a new method for transportation, bot for people and products. The photo above shows a standard 19th century steam engine locomotive.
1846: Elias Howe invents the first sewing machine. The invention enabled clothing factory workers to make their work easier and speedier by using the sewing machine, as supposed to hand-sewing. Since its invention, the sewing machine has improved the productivity and efficiency of the clothing industry. Now that sewing machines have been improved over the years, mass-produced clothing factories have become normal.
1866: Alfred Nobel creates the first dynamite, in an attempt to find a safer alternative to black powder (now known as gunpowder) for blasting rock. Dynamite was a great help to the mining industry, because it was a portable explosive that would not be dangerous if used correctly. Mining is not the only use of dynamite- the image above shows dynamite in use at the Douglas Dam construction site in 1942.
1879: Thomas Edison patents his longer-lasting version of the light bulb. Similar to the light bulb we use today, Edison created the first long-lasting light bulb for lamps. The bulbs allowed people to complete activities at night, and the light bulb was also incorporated in many factory machines as a form of a signal. The image above shows one of Edison's original light bulbs.
1908: Henry Ford creates the Model T, the first affordable automobile to hit the market. Because the car was more affordable, it allowed more of the general public to use it for transportation. In addition, the cars could be used to move small amounts of products from one location to another. The photo above shows the original 1909 version of the Ford Model T Touring.