Open source software development: some historical perspectives

software development, historical

Collective invention during the British Industrial Revolution: the case of the Cornish pumping engine

pump enigine, industrial revolution, collective invention

'Unravelling the Duty': Lean�s Engine Reporter and Cornish Steam Engineering

steam, Cornish, engineering

Technological Revolutions and Economic Growth:The �Age of Steam� Reconsidered

revolution, economic growth, steam, technological

The Early Development of the Steam Engine: An Evolutionary Interpretation using Complexity Theory

complexity theory, development, steam engine

The "machine-breakers" and the industrial revolution

The early phase of the industrialization process in Britain was characterized by a considerable number of machine-breaking riots. All the great innovations in textile technology seemed to have been, at some point of time, smashed. John Kay's flying shuttle met a strong resistance and workers rioted against its introduction in 1758, 1785-7,1810-13 and 1822. Hargreaves'spinning jenny was attacked in several mobs (1767, 1769 and 1779). In 1779 there were also assaults against Arkwright-type of factories. The power loom was the target of the Lancashire Luddites in 1812. Although this form of labour disturbances has been the subject of extensive historical investigation, there is still little consensus among historians about the exact nature and significance of this form ofresistance to innovation

The Diffusion of the Steam Engine in Eighteenth-Century Britain

revolution, economic growth, steam, technological

Technical change, non-tariff barriers, and the development of the Italian locomotive industry, 1850–1913

The locomotive industry was one of the relatively sophisticated “high tech” sectors in which Italy, a late industrializer, was successful before 1913. Using technical data on the performance of different vintages of locomotives, we construct a new industry-level index of technical change. We also study the impact of different policy instruments (import duties, non-tariff trade barriers, and other discretionary interventions) in shaping the development of the industry. Our reassessment reveals not only the sound technological performance of Italian locomotives and successful industry growth, but also the critical role played by non-tariff barriers for the development of the industry