Victorian Engineering (L.T.C. Rolt Collection) - Softcover

Rolt, L T C

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0750946571 ISBN 13: 9780750946575

Publisher: The History Press, 2009

Synopsis

L T C Rolt was an engineer and pioneer of industrial history; in this book he combined these two passions to give us a fascinating account of the men who 'made' Britain. From Brunel to Telford, he takes us on a journey from the first railway tracks being laid down to bridges spanning hitherto unimagined lengths, through to the 'invention' and mastery of the gas and electricity, which we take for granted today. The Victorians were at the forefront of modern technology in their time, but often came to see it as a blight on their landscape and struggled to adapt to the fast pace of this new industrial era. In this book, Rolt not only examines the creations that made Britain's empire great, but also how the age of optimism turned to one of disillusionment with many of our inventors finding fame and fortune abroad. This unrivalled insight into our industrial heritage is compulsory reading for anyone wanting to appreciate the foundations on which our modern lives were built.

About this title

Synopsis:

Describing the course of British engineering throughout the 19th century, this survey gives accounts of such major developments as the building of the railways, the growth of ship-building and the introduction of gas and electricity. It examines the individual achievements of Brunel, Joseph Paxton and Robert Stephenson among others, and explains how industrialisation changed the face of the environment. The book concludes by considering why the Victorians' mood of optimism turned to one of disillusionment. It argues that the Victorians failed to come to terms with the consequences of industrialisation, and that many of the innovations of British engineers found their best expression in other countries.

About the Author:

LTC ROLT was born in Chester on 9th February 1910 and died in 1974. He was an engineer and craftsman, whose passion for Britain's industrial heritage led him to become one of the foremost historians of the 20th century. He was joint founder of the Inland Waterways Association. He also wrote Narrow Boat, Red for Danger and the famous Landscape Trilogy (The History Press).

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0750946571
• ISBN 13: 9780750946575
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272