Industrial Archaeology Review 34 (2)

The discovery and diffusion of new technologies pervades human history, yet 'industrialisation' is thought to be an 18th-century phenomenon. This paper will argue that it was the invention of technologies which speeded up the actual process of work itself which led to massive social change, rather than those which resulted in higher levels of production whilst not changing the actual methods of working. It will consider the contribution that industrial archaeologists have made to a greater understanding of the nature of the so-called 'Industrial Revolution' as well as considering how this phenomenon was viewed both at home and abroad.

The concrete filler-joist floor was a form of fireproof flooring developed in the second half of the 19th century. Iron, later steel, joists embedded in concrete provided a crude form of reinforcing. This form of flooring was adopted in Lancashire cotton spinning mills from the late 1870s, but there has been some confusion over the issue, which this paper seeks to clarify. Filler-joist floors ceased to be used after around 1909 as other forms of reinforced flooring became available. Lancashire architects have been seen as conservative. However, it is argued that this was not necessarily a bad thing, and that they were willing to use new methods where these were seen as advantageous.