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Stephenson's Rocket
The Rocket was a pioneering steam-powered locomotive invented in 1829 by the British engineer Robert Stephenson (1803-1859). For a cash prize, extensive competition trials were held to find the best locomotive in the Rainhill Trials. Rocket...
Definition
SS Great Britain
The SS Great Britain was a steam-powered ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) which sailed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York in May 1845. It was the largest passenger ship in the world at the time and showed...
Definition
SS Great Eastern
The SS Great Eastern was a steam-powered ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) which sailed on its maiden voyage from Liverpool to New York in June 1860. At the time, it was by far the largest passenger ship ever built, a record...
Definition
RMS Empress of Ireland
The RMS Empress of Ireland was a transatlantic passenger ship that sank early in the morning of 29 May 1914 on the St. Lawrence River killing 1,012 of the 1,477 people on board. It is considered Canada’s worst maritime disaster and one of...
Article
The Railways in the British Industrial Revolution
The railways were perhaps the most visible element of the Industrial Revolution for many. Trains powered by steam engines carried goods and people faster than ever before and reached new destinations, connecting businesses to new markets...
Article
The Impact of the British Industrial Revolution
The consequences of the British Industrial Revolution (1760-1840) were many, varied, and long-lasting. Working life in rural and urban settings was changed forever by the inventions of new machines, the spread of factories, and the decline...
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Stephenson's Rocket
The Rocket locomotive steam engine was designed in 1829 by Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) during the Industrial Revolution. The locomotive won the 1829 Rainhill Trials and so was used to pull passenger carriages on the world's first intercity...
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Elizabeth I Pelican Portrait
The c. 1574 CE 'Pelican Portrait' by Nicholas Hilliard of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603 CE). The portrait takes its name from the brooch the queen is wearing over her dress studded with pearls and square-cut jewels. The pelican was...
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SS Great Eastern
An illustration by Charles Parsons showing the steam-powered SS Great Eastern. It was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) and completed in 1858. It was the largest ship in the world at 211 metres (692 ft) long. Great Eastern could...
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Statue of Athena
Marble statue of Athena, found in Italy, made in the 1st century CE. The ancient Greek goddess of war and wisdom was also known as Minerva to the Romans. She had dominion over various aspects of public life, including the military, justice...