Industrial Revolution - Inventors

Question 1

Abraham Darby I

Answer 1

Abraham Darby I

• Wanted to make cheaper pots that ordinary people could by
• Realised cast iron would work
• Used a derelict iron works in Coalbrookdale: the demand was huge

Question 2

Abraham Darby II

Answer 2

Abraham Darby II

• Improved iron quality: could be hammered into shape and made large quantities
• Built 6 blast furnaces
• Bought local iron ore and coal mines
• Built a tramway from mines to furnaces and river
• Used steam pumps to pump water to the water wheels which powered his furnaces

Question 3

Abraham Darby III

Answer 3

Abraham Darby III

• Treated workers well
• Paid high wages and built good housing
• Built an iron bridge over the river Severn to advertise the uses of iron

Question 4

Richard Arkwright

Answer 4

Richard Arkwright

• Born in 1732
• New a lot about the cloth industry
• Needed to speed up spinning to keep up with the speed of weaving
• In 1760s he began to work on an invention to improve spinning
• Invented his own spinning machine that was horse or water powered but was easier to operate, and made stronger stronger
• Went into partnership with two merchants and stocking manufacturers to get a patent and a factory
• Set up his spinning frame in Nottingham
• 1771: Arkwright built a cotton spinning mill in Derbyshire, powered by a stream
• The machine became the “water frame”
• Several more machines were installed around the country and Arkwright became rich
• The design spread nationally and then internationally

Question 5

Josiah Wedgwood

Answer 5

• Born 1730
• Worked as potter from the age of 9
• Started a business with £20 at the age of 28 in Staffordshire
• Invented new glazes to compete with large, high quality companies
• Treated workers well