Steam power had been in use since the late 17th century AD. By 1770 hundreds of ‘atmospheric engines’ were being used to pump water out of coal mines. Thanks to the work of James Watt (1736-1819), who developed designs which reduced the waste of steam and fuel, steam engines came into large-scale industrial use. In 1775 Watt went into partnership with Matthew Boulton (1728-1809). Their ‘double action’ engine was perfected by 1787, and they applied their technology to furnaces, which made cast iron.

Coal, iron and textiles were the largest industrial economies by the 19th century. The cotton industry flourished in Lancashire in the 18th century. Arkwright’s ‘mule’ (a roller spinning machine driven by horsepower) was introduced in 1780s, and the industry rapidly adopted steam power. Cotton production almost doubled between 1820 and 1830 as the factory system grew.

The most dramatic application of steam power was to transport. The development of steam ships and railways stimulated demand for iron, steel and coal, revolutionised internal and external communications and trade and drove the second phase of the Industrial Revolution. By 1840 nearly 2400 miles of track linked London with Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton. A decade later there were 8000 miles of track and lines reached from Aberdeen to Plymouth.