Browse Times
1792-1802
1794
Josiah Spode began manufacturing bone china. Introduction of Mason’s fly press into the lock making industry enabling the domestic worker to cut parts more easily.
1795
Death of Josiah Wedgwood.
1796
Opening of a foundry in Smethwick by Matthew Boulton and James Watt to manufacture steam engines.
1797
William and John Parkes and John Brookhouse opened a wool spinning mill at Saltisford, Warwick in 1797. They used a Boulton and Watt engine and eventually sold yarn to the Leicestershire hosiery trade and Kidderminster carpet manufacturers.
1798
Richard Lovell and Maria Edgeworth published Practical Education.
1799
William Withering died.
1802
The Soho Works in Handsworth became the first factory to be lit by gas lighting to celebrate the Peace of Amiens. Thomas Wedgwood, the third son of Josiah Wedgwood I, published “An Account of a Method of copying Paintings upon Glass, and of making Profiles by the agency of Light upon Nitrate of Silver” in the Journal of the Royal Institution. He showed how the chemical action of light could be used to produce images. Wedgwood is seen as the first photographer. Death of Erasmus Darwin in Derbyshire. The Health and Morals of Apprentices Act became law, the first example of factory legislation.
Articles in this time period
“Allin’s Cabinet of Curiosities”
The site of the Municipal Hall, corner of Congreve Street Old and New Birmingham: A History of… read more »
A Biography of Joseph Wright
Joseph Wright of Derby: Painter of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution Text: Olga Baird Joseph Wright… read more »
A Biography of Robert Bage
Image: The Mill House, Elford, near Lichfield. The home of Robert Bage in the late 18th century. Robert… read more »
A Glass Blower
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Ladies Dress Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Letter from a Mechanick in the busy Town of Birmingham, to Mr. Stayner, a Carver, Statuary, and Architect, in the sleepy Corporation of Warwick
Image: South-West Prospect of Birmingham, 1829, attributed to Frederick Calvert. Watercolour on Paper. Image from: Birmingham Museums & Art… read more »
A Letter Press Printer
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Paper Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Perspective View of Ludlow Castle for the European Magazine, and article on The Late Storms
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives
A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery (1764-1766)
Image:Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797. Oil on Canvas, Image from: Derby Museum & Art Gallery Public scientific lectures… read more »
A Philosopher lecturing on the Orrery (1766)
Wright’s painting is a celebration of scientific knowledge and the interpreter of this knowledge, the philosopher. The… read more »
A Philosopher, Conduit Street
Image from: Joseph Priestley Collection by Samuel Timmins, Birmingham City Archives.
A Pin Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Portrait of Anna Seward
Anna Seward: “Swan of Lichfield” Born in Derbyshire in 1742, Anna Seward was the daughter of Thomas… read more »
A Portrait of Dr. Erasmus Darwin
Erasmus Darwin: Doctor, Inventor, Poet and Educationalist Erasmus Darwin was born at Elston, near Nottingham, in 1731… read more »
A Portrait of Dr. William Withering
William Withering: Physician, Botanist and Mineralogist In 1741, William Withering was born at Wellington, Shropshire, the only… read more »
A Portrait of James Keir
James Keir: Chemist, Geologist, Industrialist and Inventor James Keir was born in Stirlingshire, Scotland in 1735. He… read more »
A Portrait of James Watt
James Watt: Inventor James Watt was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1736. His father was an instrument… read more »
A Portrait of Jedediah Strutt
Jedediah Strutt: Industrialist and Philanthopist Text: Olga Baird Jedediah Strutt (1726-1797) was one of leading pioneer industrialists of… read more »
A Portrait of Maria Edgeworth
Maria Edgeworth: Author and Educationalist Text: Kate Iles Image: Birmingham City Archives Maria Edgeworth was born in Oxford in… read more »
A Portrait of Rev. Joseph Priestley
Joseph Priestley: Scientist, Philosopher and Reformer Born into a Yorkshire wool manufacturing family in 1733, Priestley was… read more »
A Portrait of Richard Lovell Edgeworth
Richard Lovell Edgeworth: Inventor, Educator and Reformer In 1744, Edgeworth was born in Bath into a landowning… read more »
A Portrait of Thomas Telford: Civil Engineer
Image: Portrait of Thomas Telford (1757-1834). Frontispiece of Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer containing eighty-three… read more »
A Portrait of William Murdoch
William Murdock: The Incomparable Mechanic William Murdoch (1754 -1839) was one of most creative and least known… read more »
A Prize Bull
First half of the 19th century, Edmund Bristow (1787-1876, b. Eton – d. Eton). Wolverhampton Art Gallery.… read more »
A Ramble of the Gods Through Birmingham by J. Bisset
From: Bisset’s Magnificent Directory RAMBLE OF THE GODS THROUGH BIRMINGHAM. A TALE. “Eranti, paffimque oculos per cunєla… read more »
A Rope Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Sadler
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Sorry End: The Priestley Riots of 1791
Image: Ticket for the French Revolution Dinner, Birmingham 14 July 1791. The Dinner began the chain of events… read more »
A Stocking Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Tin Plate Worker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A View of Shrewsbury from the South-West
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 5 Image from: Shropshire Archives
A Watch Maker
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Weaver
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
A Wire Drawer
Image from: The Book of Trades or Library of the Useful Arts, 1806 [Image donated by: Birmingham Central… read more »
Acorn Commercial Hotel, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 Local Studies and History,… read more »
Address to Woman. From the Italian by Anna Seward
[From “Poetical Works of Anna Seward, Vol 2”] [176] ADDRESS TO WOMAN. FROM THE ITALIAN. Designed for… read more »
Advert for Martin Billing, Letter-Press, Lithographic and Copper-Plate Printer
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advert for Old Bush Hotel, Dudley
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advert for Regent Hotel, Leamington
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advert for Stanley’s Family and Commercial Hotel
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advert for The White Hart Hotel, Birmingham
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advert for Woolpack Hotel, Family and Commercial Inn, Warwick
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Advertisement: Batty’s Circus, Shrewsbury, including the ascent of Mr Hughes on his head on top of a balloon
Watton’s Newspaper Cuttings, Volume 4 Image from: Shropshire Archives
Advertisement: Charles Radenhurst, New Royal Hotel, New Street, Birmingham
Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »
Advertisement: Iohn Traies, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer, Birmingham
Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »
Advertisement: J. Darwen and Son, Saddlers, Harness Makers, Bridle Cutters, etc, Birmingham
Image from: William Hawkes Smith, Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District (London and Birmingham, 1836), Local… read more »
