The Industrial Revolution-
A New Age
(Late 17th Century- Late 19th Century)
The industrial revolution was an age of rapid change. It involved the swift development of old handmade manufacturing processes to the introduction of machinery being used in industry. It brought about changes that made more people move from the countryside into towns for work, and influenced some of the most famous inventors. Richard Arkwright's invention of factories meant that many types of machinery could be worked and used in one place, probably being the most important invention which allowed the Industrial Revolution to be extremely successful. The Industrial Revolution lasted between 1760 to 1820/40,and brought about some of the most brilliant inventions of all time, which changed the way people lived and worked.
A map of the Black Country
During the Industrial Revolution, new iron productions came about, and there was an increased use of steam power as water became more economically used as a source of power. As the Industrial Revolution drove further into England, and began to affect many areas, average income rose and living standards began to improve.
The Black Country consists of the areas: Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and South Wolverhampton. It does not consist of Birmingham. But historically, the Black Country is between Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The Black Country gained its name form the black soot that sat on lining of the clouds because of the emissions from the factories and foundry works. But one change that affected the Black Country was the change from using wood as a natural fuel, to coal. This change led to the Black Country being well-known for its mines, and becoming more and more involved with the Industrial Revolution.
Before the Industrial Revolution came about, most people in the Black Country were blacksmiths, nailers and had agricultural smallholdings. Metalworking took place as early as the 16th century in the Black Country, due to the vast amounts of iron ore that was mined there. Mining took place too, in the Black Country, but these were small amounts that were used for local consumption only. Historians say that this is an example of protoindustrialisation because this evidence shows that the Black Country was showing signs of development in creating conditions for fully industrialised societies.
The Black Country consists of the areas: Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and South Wolverhampton. It does not consist of Birmingham. But historically, the Black Country is between Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The Black Country gained its name form the black soot that sat on lining of the clouds because of the emissions from the factories and foundry works. But one change that affected the Black Country was the change from using wood as a natural fuel, to coal. This change led to the Black Country being well-known for its mines, and becoming more and more involved with the Industrial Revolution.
Before the Industrial Revolution came about, most people in the Black Country were blacksmiths, nailers and had agricultural smallholdings. Metalworking took place as early as the 16th century in the Black Country, due to the vast amounts of iron ore that was mined there. Mining took place too, in the Black Country, but these were small amounts that were used for local consumption only. Historians say that this is an example of protoindustrialisation because this evidence shows that the Black Country was showing signs of development in creating conditions for fully industrialised societies.
An image I took of one of the canal side factories
Even in the 17th century, steel buckles, sword hilts and steel jewellery were all being made in Wolverhampton. From 1750, the population was at about 7,500 and grew to 12,000 by 1801. But the Industrial Revolution changed the small market town into an expanding town that became known for locksmiths, japanning, tool making, horse shoe making, being railway contractors’ and creating mining tools. As canals were put in place in 1772, industry grew even further in Wolverhampton as it became easier to transport goods to other places. Because of canals being put in place, many factories were being built on the canal side. The canal that runs through Wolverhampton is the Wyrley and Essington Canal, and that is where many factories were being built.
One factory that was built on the canal side was the New Griffin Works which was built around the time of 1842 to 1881 (it is not exact because it isn’t marked on the 1842 Tithe map, but is marked on the Ordnance Survey map of 1881) and was owned by William Edwards & Son during the late 1800’s who were edge tool makers. The factory contains 4 forging shops which all have a smith’s hearth with steam blowing equipment , and one part of a forge being used for horse shoe manufacturing. A brand that was only produced in this factory was the ‘Best Crown’ brand which supplied the Queen’s government. Trade Marks from this factory are well known in markets here and in other places. The factory also contained 37 feet long boilers to power engines, steam hammer (weighing about 4 ton) forging shops, and polishing and grinding shops. The factory also produced railways and roads, improved wrought iron wheelbarrows, mining and woodcraft operations and much more. The fact that the factory made mining tools and a brand for the Queen’s governments was particularly important because mining tools were widely needed throughout the Black Country, and making the particular brand to supply the Queen’s government would’ve been a very important and special job as they were specially appointed to create this brand.
Other factories were built aside the canal and in other areas such as Osier Bed Iron Works. Factories in Wolverhampton contained Rolling Mills, and one very clever Irish man who owned many steelworks brought Osier Bed Iron Works in the 1880’sfor its rolling mills. After the Industrial Revolution, Wolverhampton’s population grew to 95,000 in 1901 as it became a very important town in the Industrial Revolution.
One factory that was built on the canal side was the New Griffin Works which was built around the time of 1842 to 1881 (it is not exact because it isn’t marked on the 1842 Tithe map, but is marked on the Ordnance Survey map of 1881) and was owned by William Edwards & Son during the late 1800’s who were edge tool makers. The factory contains 4 forging shops which all have a smith’s hearth with steam blowing equipment , and one part of a forge being used for horse shoe manufacturing. A brand that was only produced in this factory was the ‘Best Crown’ brand which supplied the Queen’s government. Trade Marks from this factory are well known in markets here and in other places. The factory also contained 37 feet long boilers to power engines, steam hammer (weighing about 4 ton) forging shops, and polishing and grinding shops. The factory also produced railways and roads, improved wrought iron wheelbarrows, mining and woodcraft operations and much more. The fact that the factory made mining tools and a brand for the Queen’s governments was particularly important because mining tools were widely needed throughout the Black Country, and making the particular brand to supply the Queen’s government would’ve been a very important and special job as they were specially appointed to create this brand.
Other factories were built aside the canal and in other areas such as Osier Bed Iron Works. Factories in Wolverhampton contained Rolling Mills, and one very clever Irish man who owned many steelworks brought Osier Bed Iron Works in the 1880’sfor its rolling mills. After the Industrial Revolution, Wolverhampton’s population grew to 95,000 in 1901 as it became a very important town in the Industrial Revolution.
Miners in the 1800's
During the Industrial Revolution, the Black Country contributed through mining and foundry works. As coal was vastly needed throughout Britain because of the change from using wood as a fuel to coal, and the Black Country being on Britain’s largest coal seam, meant that a large amount of the contribution from the Black Country was mining coal (as the South of England does not have a lot of coal mines), as well as iron ore. Iron ore would’ve been very useful because the Industrial Revolution brought about a boost in the metal industry, as new inventions allowed cast iron and steel to be produced in large quantities at a much cheaper price than wrought iron. Architectural, domestic and agricultural uses of iron castings (moulded pieces of metal) also helped industry to grow rapidly. These advances were needed for mining, steam engine components, textile production, railways, ships, machinery and military equipment. Iron ore was clearly needed for these advances to take place, which meant that most of it probably came from the Black Country and the Midlands.
