Ch 3.2 Bell Ringer –
Improving on Technology
 Think of a situation where a company had
an interesting idea and launched a
product, only to have another company
come along to improve on the product and
make even more money.
 What was the product?
 What did the new company do to improve the
product?
 What was the end result?
2
Agenda – 3.2
Britain Leads the Way
 Britain was the starting point for the
Industrial Revolution
 Changes transformed the textile
industry
 New technologies were part of the
revolution in transportation
Great Britain’s
Advantages
 Natural Resources
 Waterpower - Coal - Iron ore
 All found in large supplies in GB
 Skilled work force
 Had skilled mechanics who were eager to meet the
growing demand for new, practical inventions
 Geography
 Excellent harbors - over 6,000 merchant ships
 Provided access to resources and markets
 Favorable climate for new ideas
 Great interest in science and technology
 New ideas were encouraged and rewarded
 People invested in new technologies
Great Britain’s
Advantages
 Banking system
 Loaned $ to businesses at good rates
 Encouraged:
 Investments in startups/expansion of operations
 Technology investments – new/better machines
 Prosperous economy
 The business class had capital, or wealth, to invest,
 Consumer goods were affordable to all
 Political stability
 No wars fought on British soil
 Govt. favored economic growth
 Business people influenced Parliament
 Laws encouraged business and investment
British Cotton Trade
About 1850
2
•1600s - cotton cloth from India became popular
•British merchants organized a cotton cloth industry
• The putting out system was developed:
• Work was done by subcontractors
• Work was completed in their own facilities
• Usually their own homes.
Changes in the Textile
Industry
2
As the demand for cloth grew, inventors came up with a series of
remarkable inventions that revolutionized the British textile industry.
The flying shuttle
allowed weavers to
work much faster.
The spinning jenny
spun many threads
at the same time.
The waterframe used
water power to speed
up spinning still further.
The new machines were too large and
expensive to be operated at home.
 The putting out system was replaced by
the first factories
 Factories - places that brought together
workers and machines to produce large
quantities of goods.
Revolution in
Transportation
2
As production increased, entrepreneurs
needed faster and cheaper methods of
moving goods from place to place.
 Turnpikes, or toll roads,
 Canals,
 Stronger bridges
 Upgraded harbors
All helped to improve transportation.
The invention of the steam locomotive made
possible the growth of railroads.
Robert Fulton used the steam engine to power
the first steamboat.
Travel Times to
London
2
•How many miles would you want to walk in a day?
•How many days would it take for you to walk the distances above?
•By 1850, how many additional trips could you make?
End
 Video