Coal – Parent of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain: The early patent history

• History of coal and related industries in the UK.
• Extensive analysis of GB 17th and 18th Century patents.
• Technologies covered include mine drainage, glass making and metal smelting.

From approximately 1770 to 1850 Great Britain successfully completed the world's first Industrial Revolution. One of the main reasons for this was the country being endowed with extensive cheap coal supplies which not only provided cheap energy and a lucrative export trade but also acted as a stimulus to innovation in a wide range of industries well before 1770. The author explores these developments through early GB patents.