1776-1783

1776
Erection of the first two Watt engines at Broseley and Tipton.

1777
Arrival of William Murdock in Birmingham.

1778
The Trent and Mersey Canal was opened to traffic.
The Catholic Relief Act enabled Catholics to register their places of worship.

1779
Opening of Birmingham’s General Hospital.
Establishment of the Birmingham Library.
Construction of the Ironbridge by Abraham Derby III spanning the River Severn at Coalbrookdale.
Samuel Crompton developed the Spinning Mule combining features of the Spinning Jenny and Water Frame for cotton spinning.
James Keir patented Muntz Metal, which could be forged or wrought when it was cold as well as red-hot.
Founding of the Derby Philosophical Society.

1780
Joseph Priestley settled in Birmingham.
Gordon Riots in London.
James Keir discovered the distinction between carboin acid gas and atmospheric air. He set up a chemical works at Tipton in the same year.
Erasmus Darwin met Samuel Galton junior

1781
The population of Birmingham reached 50,000 making it the second largest English town.
Erasmus Darwin left Lichfield for Derbyshire.
Richard Arkwright built a cotton mill at Rocester near the River Dove.
The New Hall Porcelain Company in Derby began to produce commercially successful porcelain.
James Watt developed his rotary motion.

1782
Josiah Wedgwood ordered a Boulton and Watt engine produced by Matthew Boulton and James Watt to drive a clay mill and colour-grinding mill. Etruria was the first factory to install a rotary steam engine. James Watt developed his double-acting engine.

1783
James Watt patented a rotary steam engine.
The Treaty of Paris ended the American War of Independence and Britain recognised the independence of the USA.
Publication of Thomas Day’s Sandford and Merton.