Posted by DeLong at June 11, 2004 11:03 AM | TrackBack | | Other weblogs commenting on this postLANCASHIRE, England. Welcome to the land where the Industrial Revolution began, two and a half centuries ago...
http://pep.typepad.com/public_enquiry_project/2004/06/text_of_margare.html
Posted by: Adrian Spidle on June 11, 2004 12:59 PMSorry, I don't get it. "The Industrial Revolution originally referred to the developments that transformed Great Britain, between 1750 and 1830, from a largely rural population making a living almost entirely from agriculture to a town-centered society engaged increasingly in factory manufacture."
Posted by: Andrea on June 11, 2004 01:16 PMWell, speaking as a boy who's mum was from Warrington, I'd love to believe that Lancashire holds the key to the IR, but the folks in Shropshire might beg to differ, what with Coalbrookdale and Darby, et al calling it home. Seems Birmingham shares a bit of credit too what with Watt, Keir, Boulton, Wedgewood, E. Darwin and other Lunar Dudes holding court there.
Very interesting site though, Brad.
Which part throws you off Andrea?
Posted by: fouroboros on June 11, 2004 02:21 PMGreat website. Seems safe to assume that most of your readers will simply have no clue, though.
For the voracious readers I recommend Braudel's survey of the world c. 1500. I didn't particularly like the third volume, but the first two were very interesting and definitely broadened my views of the world and the ubiquity of commerce. And, what the hell, it's always more satisfying to have all the volumes in a set.
Posted by: serial catowner on June 11, 2004 03:27 PMI thought Brad was being sceptical about how long it was since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It's a fascinating subject, and one of the most interesting days I ever spent was at Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, one of ten days spent touring around that part of the country looking at the old canal system etc.
Posted by: Andrea on June 11, 2004 04:29 PMWell, Shropshire folks and Brummies may well differ, but I think Lancashire's claim to being the cradle of the modern industrial world is a valid one, and Manchester's claim to being the first modern city in the world valid too.
Of course, I was born in Salford.
Posted by: Tom Slee on June 11, 2004 05:15 PMSalford? Isn't that where Oldham folk go to interview for their butlers? No wait, that's Barnsley.
Seriously, I hear great things about how Manchester has rebounded from the 70s-80s, last I was there. Good for em.
I loved Iron Bridge and the whole Coalbrookdale story, Andrea. Many school reports on Darby, Hunstman.
Speaking of which, sorta, the Lunar Society reference above has a great book to recommend it: Google "The Lunar Men". Fascinating read on the indviduals and their symbiotic IR-era support group-like relationship (Ben Franklin was one tangentially). Now those guys were giants.
Posted by: fouroboros on June 11, 2004 09:35 PMIf you are only going to New England and not England on your vacation or business trip you should visit the national textile museum in Lowell, Mass to see how the industrial revolution began in the United States.
It is a great exhibit.
Noli equi dentes inspicere donati - Do not look a gift horse in the mouth. (St. Jerome)
Virtute et armis - By courage and by arms
An nescis, mi fili, quantilla sapientia mundus regatur? - Don't you know then, my son, how little wisdom rules the world?
Omne trium perfectum - Everything that comes in threes is perfect
Nulla regula sine exceptione - There is no rule/law without exception
Etiam capillus unus habet umbram - Even one hair has a shadow. (Publilius Syrus)
Credo quia absurdum - I believe it because it is absurd (contrary to reason)
Rem tene, verba sequentur - Keep to the subject and the words will follow. (Cato Senior)
Si fecisti nega! - If you did it, deny it (stonewall!)
Nescio quid dicas - I don't know what you're talking about
Ultra posse nemo obligatur - No one is obligated beyond what he is able to do