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
Holt Castle on the banks of the Severn
From Picturesque Views of the Severn, 1824 by Thomas Harral
Home of Robert Darwin, and birthplace of Charles Darwin
Photograph by: Nabi Heydari (April 2003)
Illustrations of the Black Country Landscape
Though these 16 images date from the 1870s, they represent a long-established view of the Black Country,… read more »
Inland Navigation, An Ode. Humbly Inscribed to The Inhabitants of Birmingham, And Proprietors of the Canal
Image: Factors or Commercial Agents in Birmingham with a view of the Crescent and Wharf. J Bisset, Bisset’s Magnificent… read more »
Interior of Britannia Railway Carriage and Wagon Works
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Introduction
Image: Print of Joseph Priestley Image from: Birmingham City Archives, Priestley Collection by Samuel Timmins Two hundred years ago,… read more »
Introduction
Image: Portrait of Joseph Priestley. Image from: Birmingham City Archives, Priestley Collection by Samuel Timmins Joseph Priestley’s importance as… read more »
Introduction: Between Enlightenment and Romanticism
Alchymist in Search of the Philosopher’s Stone, (exhibited 1775, reworked 1795). Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), Oil on… read more »
Introduction: Interpretations
The “Priestley” Riots of July 1791 are one of the best-documented episodes in Birmingham history. The initial… read more »
James Dixon and Sons, Sheffield Plated Wares
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
James Haywood, Jun, Phoenix Foundry and Engineering Works, Derby
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
John & Samuel Roberts, Swan and Small Heath Foundries, West Bromwich
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
John Dawes & Sons, Bromford Iron Works, West Bromwich
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
John Mitchell, Metallic Pens and Pen Holders, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
John Watkins, Photographer
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 Local Studies and History,… read more »
John Yates & Sons, Patent Electro Plate Works, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 ELECTRO-PLATING The art of… read more »
Joseph Gillott, Metallic Pen Maker, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858 STEEL PENS The Steel… read more »
Joseph Priestley: Trail-blazing Experimenter
Image: Print of Joseph Priestley, 1782, showing examples of scientific equipment beneath the portrait. Image from: Joseph Priestley Collection… read more »
Joseph Taylor, Engineer and Machinist, Birmingham
The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Joseph Wright of Derby and his Visit to Italy 1773 – 1775
Image: Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), Eruption of Mount Vesuvius (1774). Gouache on paper. Image from: Derby Museum &… read more »
Joseph Wright of Derby: Art, the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution
Image: Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797), Self Portrait in a Black Feathered Hat(c1767-1770). Oil on canvas. Summary Joseph Wright… read more »
Joseph Wright’s Journey to Italy
Image: Joseph Wright of Derby (1734- 1797), Self Portrait (c1767-70). Charcoal on paper. Image from: Derby Museum… read more »
Knapp’s Commercial Boarding House, Birmingham
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
L. Baldwin, Warwick Arms Hotel, Warwick
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Labour and Genius: or, the Mill-stream, and the Cascade. A Fable
Image: View of Matthew Boulton’s Soho Manufactory in Handsworth near Birmingham. J Bisset, Bisset’s Magnificent Guide or Grand Copper Plate Directory… read more »
Laings and Company, Household Goods, Birmingham
Advertisement, Men and Things of Modern England… The New Illustrated Directory… (Birmingham, M Billing, 1856)
Landscape with a Rainbow
Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797). Image from: Derby Museum & Art Gallery
Leamington Spa Post-Office and Temperance Commercial Hotel
Image from: The New Illustrated Directory Entitled Men and Things of Modern England, 1858
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to Ann Watt, 1794/03/12
Ann Watt was James Watt’s second wife and mother to Jessy. Dr. Darwin treated Jessy during her… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1767/08/18
Darwin writes to Watt about his ideas for improving carriages and commenting on Watt’s developing theories for… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1775/03/29
Boulton and Watt were now in partnership and Boulton was attempting to have a Private Bill passed… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1789/11/20
Darwin writes to Watt to request some details of the Boulton and Watt steam engine for his… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1790/01/19
Darwin thanks Watt for information about steam engines for The Economy of Vegetationand attempts to rouse Watt from… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1793/12/13
Darwin writes to Watt concerning the care of Jessy Watt, encouraging her to exercise and play sports.… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/01/01
Darwin’s recommendations for the treatment of Watt’s daughter, Jessy, who was suffering from tuberculosis. —————————————- Dear Sir,… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/04/25
Darwin writes to Watt with more suggestions for the treatment of his daughter, Jessy, including advice on… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/05/25
Darwin writes to Watt outlining a range of treatments for Watt’s daughter, Jessy. This letter includes details… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/06/06
Increasingly unable to help Jessy Watt as she continues to suffer from tuberculosis, Darwin writes to Watt… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/06/11
Darwin writes to Watt after the death of his daughter, Jessy who died in early June, 1794.… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/09/01
Darwin writes to Watt concerning their experiments into the use of gases in medicine. Darwin also mention… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/11/17
Darwin writes to Watt concerning their efforts to raise money for Dr. Beddoes’ Pneumatic Institute. Darwin also… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1794/11/30
Darwin’s second letter to Watt concerning raising funds for Dr. Beddoes’ pneumatic institute. Nov. 30-94 Derby Dear… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/04/02
Darwin writes to Watt about his continuing experiments with the use of gases in medicine. Darwin mentions… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/04/28
Darwin writes to Watt of his experiments with gases and now seems to be treating patients with… read more »
Letter from Erasmus Darwin to James Watt, 1795/07/09
Darwin writes to Watt about one of the various law suits over the patents of Watt’s steam… read more »
