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Steam Engine
Thomas Newcomen builds first commercially successful steam engine. Able to keep deep coal mines clear of water. First significant power source other than wind and water. -
Flying Shuttle
John Kay's flying shuttle. -
Threshing Machine
First threshing machine. -
Spinning Jenny
James Hargreaves invents the spinning jenny, automating weaving the warp (in the weaving of cloth). -
Updated Steam Engine
Watt's first efficient steam engine, much more efficient than the Newcomen. -
Steam Powered Mills
First steam powered mills. Crompton's "mule" combines Hargreaves' and Arkwright's machines, fully automating the weaving process. -
Power Loom
Cartwright builds a power loom. -
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney develops his cotton gin (a device to clean raw cotton). -
Steam Locomotive
Robert Trevithick demonstrates a steam locomotive. -
Steamboat
Robert Fulton's Clermont first successful steamboat. -
Idea of Electric Motor
Faraday demonstrates electro-magnetic rotation, the principle of the electric motor. -
Possible Electric Engines
Faraday discovers electro-magnetic current, making possible generators and electric engines. -
Telegraph
Morse develops the telegraph and Morse Code.
Great Western--first ocean-going steamship. -
Spread Of Telegraph
Commercial use of Morse's telegraph (Baltimore to Washington). -
Gas is used
Petrol (gasoline) refining first used.
Natural Science Honours School established at Oxford. -
Skyscrapers
Elisha Otis invents the elevator safety brake making skyscrapers possible -
Colored Cotton
W.H. Perkin produces aniline dyes, permitting brightly colored cottons. -
Gasoline Engine
Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species.
Edwin Drake strikes oil in Pennsylvania.
Etienne Lenoir demonstrates the first successful gasoline engine.
