Timeline of the Industrial Revolution
1694 - The bank of England is established.
1700 - Improvements in agricultural technology contribute to the agricultural revolution.
1707 - the first turnpike trusts are established.
1709 - Abraham Darby develops a blast furnace capable of producing high-quality iron.
1712 - Thomas Newcomen develops
1730 - 1780 - The invention of new and larger spinning and weaving machines shifts textile industry into factories
1757 - The Sankey Canal is opened
1761 - The Bridgewater Canal is opened
1763 - Victory in the Seven Years' War gives Britain increased trade access to colonies in India and North America.
1769 - James Watt invents a steam engine capable of providing continuous power
1783 - Henry Cort 'pudding' process further improves the quality of iron products
1785 - The Boulton and Watt steam engine is first used in a textiles factory.
1801 - The first official population census is held in Britain.
1813 - The first working steam locomotive, known as puffing Billy, is built.
1825 - The first English public steam railway (from Stockton to Darlington) is opened.
1830 - Stephenson's Rocket hauls the first train on the Manchester to Liverpool railway line.
1830's - Railway building begins in France and Germany
1842 - Samuel Morse develops the single wire telegraph.
1851 - The great Exhibition is held in London.
1876 - Alexander Graham Bell patents the first telephone.