Page 117 - DENG402_HISTORY_OF_ENGLISH_LITERATURE

History of English Literature

Notes With the arrival of these inventions, yarn had effectively become industrialized. By 1812, the cost of
making cotton yarn had dropped by nine-tenths and the number of workers needed to turn wool
into yarn had been reduced by four-fifths (Gernhard). The addition of these inventions to the work
force moved the stress from the production to the supply of raw cotton. Within just a 35 year period,
more than 100,000 power looms with 9,330,000 spindles were put into service in England and
Scotland (Technology throughout History). Britain took advantage of the Americas’ available new
cotton, using it to help absorb the demand. By 1830, the importation of raw cotton had increased to
eight times its past rate and half of Britain’s exports were refined cotton. At this point, the demand
was high enough to provide inspiration for what is probably the most well known invention of the
Revolution: the steam engine.

James Watt’s “steam engine”

In 1769, James Watt patented the steam engine and in effect created a new source of power. Early-
model steam engines were introduced to drain water and raise coal from the mines, but the crucial
development was the use of steam for power (Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution in
Great Britain). The first steam engine was actually produced by Thomas Newcomen, but Watt later
improved and patented it. The original idea was to put a vertical piston and cylinder at the end of
a pump handle and then to put steam in the cylinder and condense it with a spray of cold water. The
vacuum created allowed atmospheric pressure to push the piston down, but Watt made it a
reciprocating engine, creating the true steam engine (Gernhard).

Robert Fulton’s “steamboat”
In 1807, Robert Fulton used steam power to create the first steamboat, an invention that would
change the way and the speed in which materials could be moved between the colonies of Britain
(Haberman 48). In the beginning, the ship was more expensive to build and operate than sailing
vessels, but the steamship had some advantages. It could take off under its own power and it was
more steadfast in storms (Gernhard).

Stephenson’s “steam powered train”
Finally, in 1814, Stephenson used the steam engine to create a steam powered train, which would
eventually allow increased communication and trade between places before deemed too far. Soon,
the steam-powered train had become an icon of success throughout the world (Haberman 48).
Britain encouraged the building of railroads in other European countries, often with British capital,
equipment, and technicians. Railroads became a standard item of British export (Gernhard).
From a suitable product comes a mass of inventions that will lead other areas of trade and production
towards industrialization. These first innovations have greatly affected the basic elements of the
era: agriculture, power, transportation, textiles, and communication.

Technological Developments during Industrial Revolution
In the last part of the 18th century, a new revolution gripped the world that we were not ready for.
This revolution was not a political one, but it would lead to many implications later in its existence.
Neither was this a social or cultural revolution. This revolution was an economic one.
The Industrial Revolution, as it know called by historians, changed the ways by how the world
produced its goods. It also changed our societies from a mainly agricultural society to one that in
which industry and manufacturing was in control.
The industrial revolution first got its start in Great Britain, during the 18th century, which at the
time was the most powerful empire on the planet. So, it was inevitable that the country with the
most wealth would lead in this revolution. After it adoption in England, other countries such as
Germany, the United States and France joined in this revolution.

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