Three hundred years ago, when the18th century came, Emperor Kangxi of China was using his literary martial arts to open up the glory of a new dynasty and began to take an interest in the distant west. At this time, Britain was pregnant with a brand-new mode of production in human history, which was called "industrial revolution" by later generations. Continued overseas expansion and colonial trade promoted the demand for goods; Scientific awareness and market awareness have improved the overall understanding level of the British. With all kinds of joint efforts, Britain became the first industrialized country in the world, created a far-reaching liberal economic model, established a global "empire that never sets", and led the world's development from the middle of18th century to the middle of19th century. So, why did the pioneers of industry appear in Britain? What does the high-speed industrialization process mean to this island country?
Voice of Industry Episode 4
This is a coastal town in northwest England. Its name is Greenock, 1736, the father of the industrial revolution and the inventor of the universal steam engine-James? Mr watt was born here. Today, the city is beautiful and quiet, with many beautiful yachts moored in the harbor and few cars on the street, and people's lives are leisurely and quiet.
However, about 300 years ago, it was a completely different scene here. Due to its proximity to Glasgow, the European tobacco center, Greenock's seaport status is very important. Sailboats come and go in the harbor, carriages hum in the city, and businessmen in pubs smoke and chat. Watt's grandfather and father are two successful businessmen. They are engaged in the most prosperous tobacco trade in Greenock.
Before the industrial revolution, there were many families like Watt in Britain. Under the influence of Protestantism, they began to create wealth and pursue profits. They want to communicate with God with realistic achievements and prove that they are God's voters. In their own words, it is "making money is the main thing in life."
If we further broaden our horizons, we will find that the trade between Greenock and Virginia in the United States by Watt's parents is only a small part of British global trade. According to a statistic of 1686, nearly half of British ships are engaged in American or Indian trade. This was a business that made all countries jealous at that time.
Andrew, a professor at Wang Family College, University of London, UK? Poter
I think the "glorious revolution" has brought political stability, and the most important result is that ordinary citizens feel that they have a trustworthy government. Because they have a good impression on the government, citizens are willing to pay taxes to support it. They are more willing to bear the necessary taxes to support the country's foreign wars, especially the wars against France and Spain in the early18th century.
1763, through the seven-year war between Britain and France, Britain temporarily moved France and Spain standing in front of it. A British historian commented: "Since the end of the war, it doesn't matter whether Britain is more important than its neighbors. Because Britain is no longer just a European power, not just an opponent of Germany, Russia or France. "
For the first time in history, Britain considers itself a world power.
Professor Richard of university of westminster, England? Harding
The seven-year war between Britain and France had a great influence on Britain's status. This was the first naval battle, which played a decisive role in the diplomatic pattern of Europe. Spain and France can no longer ignore British power. If they declare war on Britain, they will lose important territory.
With the colonial expansion and the maturity of overseas markets, the demand for various commodities is increasing, and the production capacity supported by manual workshops has become stretched. In order to withstand this test, almost the whole of Britain was mobilized. An English cotton spinner got a message from his manager in London: "No matter how much plain cloth you can produce, we want both good and bad." "You must find a way to invent, you have a lot of things to do in industry, ..."
The urgent demand like a black hole in the market first appeared in the textile industry, because the products of this industry are most closely related to the lives of ordinary people. In order to produce at a faster speed, the ingenuity of craftsmen was fully mobilized, and new inventions emerged one after another. Britain began to approach the starting line of the industrial revolution step by step.
Michelle, a professor at Berbeck College, University of London, UK? hunter
Old-fashioned textile production units are very small, generally taking households as units, and wives, children and even husbands and family members weave together. But with the invention of the shuttle and Jenny spinning machine, the production scale has been greatly expanded, and more people can work together. In this way, the factory model appeared, which laid the foundation for the future factory model.
The large-scale use of machines in production greatly improved the efficiency of manual workshops and eventually contributed to the birth of modern factories. However, these factories have the same limitations. Almost without exception, they chose the place by the river as the site. This is because at the beginning of the18th century, the power sources that can make the machine run are windmills and drainage pipes that have been used by human beings for nearly two thousand years. This power source provided by nature has seriously restricted production. Therefore, which country can first build a power machine that meets the needs of industrialization is in a leading position in the competition. Under what chance will the machine that can open a new era be born? What preparations did the British who took the lead in stepping into the door of the industrial age make for this?
In fact, when the whole of Britain, even the whole of Europe, straightened their necks and looked forward to a machine that could generate infinite power, James, the "universal steam engine", was finally built. However, Mr watt is facing an unprecedented crisis.
1773 In March, Mr. Watt's partner went bankrupt, which not only made him lose his stable income, but also had to sell his property to pay off his debts. Watt, 37, complained: "I still have my wife and children. I see that I have become a snow-stained temple, but I don't have any fixed job to support them."
Yu Yang, Professor of History Department of Nanjing University
1In the autumn of 773, Watt suffered another family accident. His wife who lived with him for nine years died, leaving him with six children, and the factory where he worked went bankrupt. At this point, his life fell to the lowest point. A friend recommended him to work in Russia. He said, "I have so many things to do at the moment, and I am so poor. I feel very depressed. "
However, Britain, Mr Watt's frustrated home, may let an unsuccessful businessman leave at this time, but it will not let an inventor who will bring unlimited business opportunities leave his field of vision, because it has already prepared various mechanisms to put intelligence into practical orbit. These mechanisms are like a huge and fine net, bringing together the best talents and technologies in the world to Britain. Among them, patent protection is an important measure.
Robert, a professor of history of science at Oxford University, UK? Fawkes
Patents first appeared in16th century, but it was not common to apply for patents in16th and17th centuries. Since18th century, patent application has become universal and important. The purpose of applying for a patent is simple, that is, to protect an invention and maintain its novelty. The patent gives the inventor a protection period of about 15 years, during which his invention is protected and no one else can copy it.
Watt lived a very rich life in his later years. However, the main source of Watt's wealth is not the factory that makes steam engines, but the invention patent of efficient steam engines that has been widely transferred.
The incentive mechanism of technological innovation has a far-reaching impact on the development of Britain. Until today, when we entered the era of knowledge economy, this country, which has formulated the world's first patent law, still regards scientific and technological innovation strategy as its national development strategy, ranking fourth among the world's high-tech product producers.
And 250 years ago, the protection and reward of intellectual property rights in Britain made almost everyone fall into a fanatical worship of new technologies and inventions. A British publication said, "The contribution of engineering technology is greater than war and diplomacy; Its contribution is greater than that of churches and universities; Its contribution is greater than abstract philosophy and literature; In a changing society, its contribution is greater than our law ... "
In this worship of the whole people, a new class is the most pious, because technology and invention have the closest interest relationship with them. This class was called "factory owners" at that time and is called "entrepreneurs" today. 1773, it was one of them who kept Watt who wanted to go to Russia. His name is Matthew? Bolton.
Professor Yu Yang, Department of World History, Nanjing University, China
Burton's Soho factory was in Birmingham, which was then the hardware production center in Britain. Burton's factory has more than 65,438+0,000 employees. He mainly produces hardware instruments, even telescopes and other products. However, Bolton has a good eye. He saw that British industry was rising and many new factories needed new power, so he decided to turn to steam engines and processing machinery.
Later, when Bolton and Watt built the first steam engine together, the king of England came to visit their factory. When the king asked Bolton what he was busy with, he said, "Your Majesty, I am busy making a product that emperors dream of." The king asked puzzled what it was, and Burton replied, "This is power, your majesty."
It is with this vision that Bolton tried his best to keep the impoverished and unhappy Watt. In his letter to Watt, he said: "I will create all necessary conditions for the completion of the engine, and we will provide engines of various specifications to the world. You need a "midwife" to reduce the burden and introduce your baby to the world. "
British biographer Jenny? Yugero
Matthew? Bolton and James? Watt has a completely different personality. It is the most incredible page in industrial history that two people can come together. James. Watt is thoughtful, slow and very anxious. He is often discouraged. He will put his work aside and feel as if he has completely given up. In sharp contrast to him, Matthew? Burton is enthusiastic, energetic, gets along well with people and is always optimistic. When Watt said, "It won't work." Bolton would say, "Of course it will work. Just try again."
The perfect combination of Bolton and Watt completely eliminated Watt's worries. However, if Watt had only a pair of extraordinary hands, the universal steam engine would not have been born. Because before Watt, craftsmen had invented the steam engine, but this kind of steam engine is huge and consumes coal, and only coal mines can barely use it.
Yuan, researcher of China Association for Science and Technology.
In the thousands of years since the birth of modern science, human activities have basically followed such a pattern: production, technology and science, that is to say, production by experience, refining technology in the long production process, and then producing science in the process of improving technology. This is a process of doing things by experience, so we took many detours and went the wrong way.
Watt didn't take the detour that mankind has taken for thousands of years. In order to completely transform the old steam engine, Watt studied mechanics, mathematics and chemistry, made systematic experiments and carefully calculated the thermal efficiency of the cylinder. Why did Watt invent in a way that craftsmen never thought before? Where did his understanding of the relationship among production, technology and science come from? The century before Watt invented the steam engine was the heyday of science in European history. From the middle of17th century, modern science came into being under the impetus of a group of giants. At the center of this group of scientific giants is a man known to all women and children. He's Isaac? Newton.
Many historians believe that Newton opened the door to the industrial revolution from the perspective of modern science.
This is Newton's hometown. It is said that Newton was inspired by seeing the apples on this tree fall to the ground. Although, until today, the biggest apple on this tree will not exceed the fist of an adult, this does not prevent the prodigy of Cambridge University from bringing a scientific revolution in the17th century.
From 65438 to 0687, Newton published his most famous book Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy. In this profound book, Newton mathematically proved the law of gravity and the three laws of motion, which is considered as "the greatest achievement in the history of human wisdom". Using these laws, Newton put all the forces of the stars, the earth and nature on his balance.
Michelle, a professor at Berbeck College, University of London, UK? hunter
The essence of Newton system is that the earth and other celestial bodies move according to the same law and can be calculated quantitatively. You can take out any part of the solar system and calculate it according to the law, so as to accurately predict the position and motion mode of the planets.
"We are placed in this world like a theater, but the origin and cause of each event are completely hidden from us. We have neither enough wisdom to foresee the future nor the ability to prevent those unfortunate events that keep hurting us. We are hanging in eternal doubt ... "
This is a passage by Hume, a famous philosopher in British history, which truly describes the passive mentality of people looking at the world at that time. Three hundred years ago, the human mind was full of infatuation, faith and fear. Why is the water flowing downwards? Why does the sun rise and set? These problems, which seem very simple today, could not be understood and grasped at that time. Until Isaac? Newton appeared, and mankind finally ended this state. Newton announced the arrival of the scientific era through his masterpiece. He told the world that there are laws in nature and laws can be recognized.
Newton's discovery brought unprecedented confidence to mankind. Man, who once crawled at God's feet, finally boldly raised his head and began to look at the world with his own rational eyes.
Robert, a professor of history of science at Oxford University, UK? Fawkes
But if there must be one (the greatest scientist), I think it should be Newton. Newton brought, or at least strengthened, our belief that there is no doubt that we live in a regular and managed universe. This paved the way for the research of 18, 19 century and even today in many scientific fields.
Yuan, researcher of China Association for Science and Technology.
After the birth of modern science represented by Newton, human society developed rapidly. As Marx said, in less than a hundred years of bourgeois rule, the productive forces created exceeded the sum of previous history.
1687 The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy won great honor for Newton. Soon after, Newton was elected as the chairman of the Royal Society, the highest academic group in Britain. European intellectuals believe that God created the world, and Newton discovered the way God created the world.
After reading Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, a French scholar almost regarded Newton as a god. He asked everyone from England the details of Newton's life: "Does he eat?" Do you want some water? Sleep? Live like a mortal? "
As a scientist, Newton's halo can be said to radiate the most brilliant light in the world. However, except for specialized researchers, others don't know much about his weakness of disharmony with heroes.
Stephen, Secretary General of the Royal Society? coxswain
I think, Isaac? Newton can be said to be a difficult person to get along with, and many of his anecdotes have proved this. He once worked with another famous scientist, Robert? Hook argued about who first thought of an idea. There is a story that he disliked Hooke so much that he ruined all his portraits, so we can see four or five portraits of Newton today, but there is no portrait of Hooke.
Newton died in 1727. Britain buried him in Westminster Abbey with a grand state funeral ceremony, which has always been the graveyard of princes and nobles, and Newton became the first scientist to sleep here. On the day of the funeral, thousands of ordinary citizens flocked to the streets to see him off; The coffin was carried by two dukes, three earl and a judge. In the lamentation of the church chorus, princes and nobles, government ministers and scholars bid farewell to this scientific giant.
French thinker Voltaire witnessed Newton's funeral and was deeply moved. He said with emotion: "When you walk into Westminster Abbey, what people see is not the tomb of the king, but a monument built by the state to thank the greatest people who have graced our country." This is the British respect for talents. "
The whole society is expressing sincere respect for a scientist, which is a country's attitude towards scientists and science.
1765, more than 30 years after Newton's death, a brand-new steam engine was born in Watt's hands. The steam engine invented by Watt not only used a lot less coal than the original steam engine, but also enabled human beings to have their own creative power from now on, no longer subject to nature. Later, Watt steam engine, which solved the core problem of industrialization, was regarded as the symbol of industrial revolution. Watt is also known as the "father of the industrial revolution".
Professor Paul of Yale University? Kennedy
When the age of steam and the Industrial Revolution came, it pushed forward Britain, which was already ahead, and made this island surpass other countries in the next few hundred years.