• Sewing Machine (1844) – Elias Howe
• Diesel Engine (1892) – Rudolf Diesel
• The Light Bulb (1877) – Thomas Edison
(“Industrial Revolution Inventors”)
Key Factors of Change:
Advancements in Technology The Industrial Revolution The Growth of the British Empire Scientific Discovery Questioning of Religious Authority Mandatory Education and Increased Literacy
Technological Advancements
In science and technology, the Victorians developed the modern idea of invention based on the belief that man could create solutions to problems in order to better himself and his environment. Here are some of the key inventions of the era: • The Steam Engine (1775) James Watt – making possible steam-powered trains and ships. • The Cotton Gin (1794) Eli Whitney - allowed for the removal of cotton from its seeds. (“Industrial Revolution Inve
Victoria's long reign witnessed the expansion of the British Empire as well as political and social reforms In England and abroad. Indeed, a feeling of national pride was connected with the name of Victoria; however, this era was also a time shaken by various social, political, religious, technological and scientific developments, all of which had an impact on the literature of the time. Over time, these rapid changes deeply affected the country's mood: an age that began with a confidence and optimism leading to economic boom and prosperity eventually gave way to uncertainty and doubt regarding Britain's place in the world”(“Victorian England: An Overview”).
The Queen's own ethics and personal tastes (“Queen Victoria - 1819-1901”) have perhaps lead to our association of the word Victorian with things that are “prudish”, “repressed” and “old fashioned”. In part, Victoria herself encouraged her own identification with the qualities we associate with the word Victorian – earnestness, moral responsibility, and domestic propriety. In general, when we think of “Victorian” values today, we often think of sobriety, hard work, and joyless abstinence from worldly pleasures (Abrams 1044-1045).
The Victorian Age
Queen Victoria 1837-1901
•The term “Victorian” literally describes things and events from the reign of Queen Victoria. •She is England’s longest reigning queen, having ruled from 1837 to 1901. •Her husband was Prince Albert of Sax-Coburg-Gotha, her German cousin. The two had a very close and affectionate relationship; Albert was instrumental in Victoria’s decision making as Queen. Together, they had nine children (“Queen Victoria - 1819-1901”).