The Soho Manufactory () was an early factory which pioneered mass production on the assembly line principle, in Soho, Birmingham, England, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It operated from 1766–1848 and was demolished in 1853.
Beginnings
In 1756, Edward Ruston leased land on Handsworth Heath from the Lord of the Manor. He deepened
Hockley Brook, and built a rolling mill powered by it.
In 1761 (or 1764
Production
The Manufactory produced a wide range of goods from
,
and boxes to
japanning (collectively called "toys"), and later luxury products such as
and
ormolu (a type of gilded
bronze).
Steam engines
In 1782, it became the first site with a Watt steam engine with the sun and planet gear.
It was also home to the first
steam-powered mint, whose presses were subsequently used at the first
Birmingham Mint.
Later
In later years, the Manufactory was served by canal at
Soho Wharf, at the end of the short
Soho Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigations'
Soho Loop.
The manufactory was demolished in 1853 and the site subsequently used for housing.
Cultural references
In the 1990s the television
archaeology programme
Time Team excavated the foundations, in some of the local back gardens. (Series 4, Ep. 3, 1997)
The Manufactory is featured on the Bank of England £50 note along with Matthew Boulton, James Watt, and the Whitbread Engine.
See also
-
A History of Birmingham, Chris Upton, 1993,
External links
