Joel Mokyr,
Chapter 2 - The Contribution of Economic History to the Study of Innovation and Technical Change: 1750–1914,
Editor(s): Bronwyn H. Hall, Nathan Rosenberg,
Handbook of the Economics of Innovation,
North-Holland,
Volume 1,
2010,
Pages 11-50,
ISSN 2210-8807,
ISBN 9780444519955,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7218(10)01002-6.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169721810010026)

1. Crucible Steel’s Importance: Benjamin Huntsman’s crucible process in the 18th century significantly improved steel quality, crucial for durable machine parts and tools, impacting industrial development oai_citation:1,EconHistory.pdf.
2. Chemistry and Steel: Advances in chemistry, including the understanding of steel as an alloy and the removal of impurities like phosphorus, were pivotal in improving steel quality and production processes oai_citation:2,EconHistory.pdf.
3. German Dominance in Chemistry: In the second Industrial Revolution, Germany led in chemical advancements, partly due to their effective patent protection and strong educational system producing skilled chemists oai_citation:3,EconHistory.pdf.
4. Ammonia Synthesis: The Haber-Bosch process for synthesizing ammonia was a groundbreaking innovation with significant implications for agriculture and population growth oai_citation:4,EconHistory.pdf.
5. Electricity’s Multinational Development: Electricity’s development was a collaborative, multinational effort with significant advancements in generating and controlling electrical power oai_citation:5,EconHistory.pdf.
6. Dynamoelectric Generator: The invention of the dynamoelectric generator in the late 1860s by Gramme and others was crucial for large-scale electricity generation oai_citation:6,EconHistory.pdf.
7. Impact of Electricity: Electricity transformed industries and households, allowing energy consumption in small quantities at constant cost, and had a significant influence on urbanization and daily life oai_citation:7,EconHistory.pdf.
8. Internal Combustion Engine: The development of the internal combustion engine was a collaborative international effort, significantly outperforming steam power in various applications oai_citation:8,EconHistory.pdf.
9. Ship Design Innovations: Significant improvements in ship design, including the use of iron and steel, and the development of screw propellors and steam turbines, drastically enhanced maritime transportation oai_citation:9,EconHistory.pdf.
10. Dietary Improvements: Technological advancements led to improved diets in Europe, facilitated by better transportation and methods like deep-freezing for preserving food oai_citation:10,EconHistory.pdf.
11. Advancements in Health: The second Industrial Revolution brought significant improvements in health, marked by a decrease in infant mortality and an increase in life expectancy oai_citation:11,EconHistory.pdf.
12. Growth in Infectious Disease Understanding: Rapid advancements in understanding infectious diseases and their prevention significantly improved public and private health oai_citation:12,EconHistory.pdf.
13. Innovation Dynamics Change: The Industrial Revolution represented a shift from periodic innovation as a byproduct of economic activity to continuous, systematic innovation led by professionals oai_citation:13,EconHistory.pdf.
14. Baconian Program’s Influence: The combination of the Baconian program with the heritage of the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolutions laid the foundation for sustained innovation oai_citation:14,EconHistory.pdf.
15. Institutional Developments: Secure property rights and limits on government power were crucial for innovation, as seen in the market for ideas and the development of efficient idea-sharing platforms oai_citation:15,EconHistory.pdf.
16. Tacit Knowledge Transmission: Universities and artisanal skills played a key role in the intergenerational transmission of tacit knowledge, crucial for technological advancement oai_citation:16,EconHistory.pdf.
17. Communication and Mobility Improvements: Advances in communication, like the printing press and postal services, facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas across Europe oai_citation:17,EconHistory.pdf.
18. Contestability and Political Fragmentation: Europe’s political fragmentation aided in the spread of innovation, as intellectuals found refuge in more tolerant environments, promoting a culture of intellectual freedom oai_citation:18,EconHistory.pdf.
19. Informal Networks for Capital: During the Industrial Revolution, informal networks like local associations and churches played a crucial role in providing capital and trust-based partnerships for entrepreneurs oai_citation:19,EconHistory.pdf.
20. Continental Europe’s Approach: Different from Britain, Continental Europe relied more on government intervention and subsidies for innovation, emphasizing state control over education and research oai_citation:20,EconHistory.pdf.