54: From Concept to Creation: Unleashing Success in British Manufacturing with Philip Hamlyn Williams

Discover the secrets behind successful companies and the minds that shaped them in a look at 100 years of history. Join us as we delve into the stories of visionary entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses, uncovering the strategies that propelled their inventions and Great Britain to new heights.

Philip Hamlyn Williams, a renowned historian and author. Williams, latest book "How Britain Shaped the Manufacturing World," delves into the fascinating history of Britain's manufacturing prowess and its impact on the world.

 

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Learn from the Cliff Notes on the manufacturing history

- 03:01 Grand father made surgical instruments at the great exp

- 03:59 From 1851 steam trains without internal combustion

- 08:30 What was the challenge with cotton that helped?

- 08:50 How did steam pumps help oil?

- 12:28 Who produced the first motor car?

- 18:25 Which companies are you fond of?

- 23:53 Take power to people not people needing to move - electric

- 24:49 Communications innovations, people could not see the point?

- 32:43 Do you think we are heading to 2051 with strong innovation?

- Chooses a hand tool and an area of innovation.

We discuss the changing period of British manufacturing over roughly a hundred years, from the Great Exhibition in 1851 to the Festival of Britain in 1951. The innovation, hard work, and advancements in various industries during this time that shaped the country and had a global impact. Williams emphasises the importance of friction and opportunity in driving innovation, with entrepreneurs and inventors solving local problems and exploring broader applications for their inventions.

They touch on the role of wars, in accelerating technological development and transforming industries. The influx of women into the workforce during the war improved working conditions and changed the dynamics of labor.

Industries naturally clustered Coventry and Birmingham being prominent hubs for motor and manufacturing companies. The interview highlights the ingenuity, adaptability, and resilience of British manufacturers throughout history.

Show Notes:  
https://cliffnotespodcast.com/podcasts/54/

Get the book:
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/How-Britain-Shaped-the-Manufacturing-World-Hardback/p/21375

https://britishmanufacturinghistory.uk/

https://www.philwilliamswriter.co.uk/

 

 

CREDITS:
Host: Tristan Bailey
Music: Drinks On The Bar - Dougie Wood

If you or a friend would be a good guest with a story about People, Process or Technology that moved them forward, then book a quick call on the website. 

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