Did you know that many inventions were created during the Industrial Revolution? The period between 1760 and 1840 presented the world with some of the most interesting technological and social changes. The inventions from that time changed the world forever.
The Industrial Revolution was characterised by rapid technological and social change that transformed the world in countless ways. Historians refer to it as a time of great innovation when several technologies and tools people use nowadays were brought to life. They improved all industries (from transportation to manufacturing and communication) and spurred the industrial revolution.
Every invention from the Industrial Revolution propelled future innovations, so it’s important for everyone to know where they fit in human history’s timeline.
We handpicked a series of the most important inventions of the period (some popular, some lesser-known), so if it tickles your fancy, let’s discover them together.
Flying shuttle
James Kay patented this simple weaving machine in 1733 in France and called it the flying shuttle. Because its implementation in factories enabled the workforce to improve their performance by doubling the output weavers could make, it was extensively used after 1760.
Before James Kay invented the flying shuttle, two weavers were needed on each side of a standard loom. The innovation allowed one worker to complete the job without assistance. The new shuttle integrated wheels in a track and relied on paddles to push the shuttle when the worker hurtled the cord. The initial flying shuttle suffered several improvements over the years to boost its functionality and performance.
The flying shuttle’s impact was pregnant in the industry as it allowed the production of textiles to improve beyond the usual capacity. It facilitated further advancements throughout the textile and other connected sectors.
Spinning Jenny
This is another example of a great invention brought to life during the Industrial Revolution. James Hargreaves patented his idea in 1764 in England. Industry experts call Spinning Jenny a ground-breaking innovation for its period because it changed the textile world forever. The tool allowed workers to spin more wool and improve their performance. Spinning Jenny boosted mills productivity, especially paired with the flying shuttle. When switching to spinning, Jenny workers could produce more spools of thread in the same amount of time. They only had to turn the wheel on the machine, and they could spin eight spindles of threat at once. Until this invention, they could only spin one at a time. Over the years, technology advanced, and machines could spin from 80 to 120 spindles at the time.
James Hargreaves is often called the driver of development in the modern factory system because his invention propelled massive growth in production. By the end of 1778, there were over 20,000 Spinning Jennys in factories across the United Kingdom.
Steam Engine
Thomas Newcomen invented a steam engine that pumped water using a vacuum triggered with the help of condensed steam in 1712. Newcomen’s engine was a crucial invention for the world because it drained the water out of mines, supporting, therefore, the mining industry and boosting its performance.
In 1775 James Watt created a more reliable and efficient steam engine that revolutionised the industry. He added a separate condenser to boost the machine’s efficiency and prevent latent heat losses. The Watt engine quickly gained popularity, winding up installed in factories and mines worldwide. Specialists call it one of the greatest inventions of the period because it included gears and a crankshaft that later became the standard prototype for modern steam engines. The Watt steam engine triggered improvements in all sectors and led to the development of ship propulsion and locomotives.
As previously seen, all these inventors got patents for their ideas because they needed to make sure no one would steal them. If you have an idea of an innovative product, you should get in touch with a company like idea4invention.com to find out what steps you should follow to patent your innovation and protect it from theft.
The Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney invented the Cotton Gin (cotton engine) in 1793 in Savannah, Georgia, and his name became synonymous with the Industrial Revolution in the USA. Before it, workers had to remove the cotton seeds from fibres by hand, an exhausting, time-consuming, and laborious task. The engine increased cotton farmers’ revenue because they could produce higher amounts of fabric in a shorter period.
The cotton engine allowed several farmers to switch to cotton as their primary crop. The invention had a significant impact on slave plantation owners and farmers in the Americas. Because the machine enabled them to separate the fibres and seeds efficiently, they could use a greater portion of the plant to make high-quality cotton goods. The Cotton Gin separated the seeds for cottonseed oil production and crop growth at the same time, so it made workers’ jobs easier.
Even if this invention revolutionised the cotton sector, it also had a negative effect because it skyrocketed the demand for workers triggering a growth in the number of enslaved people.
Telegraph communications
The Telegraph was invented toward the end of the Industrial Revolution period (1800), and everyone agreed that it was one of the most significant innovations of the time since it changed communications forever. The Telegraph technology enabled near-instant communication across the same state at first and then across the planet by transmitting electrical signals over a wire connecting two stations. It helped people stay in touch and find the latest geopolitical events faster.
Morse was the first inventor to receive federal funding for the Telegraph in 1838. The Congress financed him to build the telegraph system from Washington DC to Baltimore, Maryland. It took a couple of years for the electrical Telegraph to become the main means of communication for individuals and companies.
The above inventions sped up the processes from several industries considerable because they required less workforce than the operations would traditionally have required. They are the inventions that triggered advancements in sectors around the world and improved people’s lives over the years.
About The Author
Nicole Hinton
Nicole is a freelancer & passionate blogger. She has 4+ years of experience in digital marketing and specialize in content writing, content marketing and organic search engine optimization. She has worked with many brands from Canada as well as the USA. Currently, she manages content marketing team of freelancers and doing their business efficiently.
