-
Jethro Tull invents seed drill
Jethro Tull was one of the first scientific farmers of the Agricultural Revolution. He saw the usual way of sowing seed by scattering across the ground was wasteful because most of the seeds failed to take root so in 1701 he invented the seed drill to help allow farmers to sow seeds in well-spaced rows at specific depths. This boosted crop yields dramatically. -
John Kay invents flying shuttle
Machinist John Kay made the flying shuttle which speedily carried threads of yarn back and forth when the weaver pulled a handle on the loom. It greatly increased the productivity of weavers. -
James Watt builds first steam engine
Mathematical instrument maker at University of Glasgow figured out way to make the steam engine work faster and more efficiently. He joined with businessman named Matthew Boulton and built a better steam engine. -
Marx and Engels publish Communist Manifesto
Published in 1848, The Communist Manifesto produced few short-term results. Though widespread revolts shook Europe during 1848 and 1849, Europe's leaders eventually put down the uprisings. Only after the turn of the century did the Marxust pamphlet produce results like when it inspired revolutionaries lik Lenin, Mao Zedong, and Fidel Castro. -
US Civil War and slavery ends
Enslavement of African people and the Civil War ended in U.S. when Union won and slaves were freed -
Germany becomes dominant industrial power in Europe
Germany had many problems. It was politically divided, economically isolated, and had scattered resources. -
British Unions win right to strike
The workers bargained for better working conditios and higher pay and if factory owners refused these demands, union members could strike.