Industrial Revolution: Foundations of Modern Manufacturing
This display of 19th-century rare and valuable books features diagrams and schematics for steel, ceramic, textile, and glass manufacturing.
When:
April - September 2025
Where:
Level 3 Main Library
To complement the exhibition Material Revolution (31 March – 12 August 2025) in the Main Library, Level 5 Exhibition space, Industrial Revolution: Foundations of Modern Manufacturing displays 19th-century books from UNSW Special Collections showcasing technical drawings, diagrams, and schematics for steel, ceramic, textile, and glass manufacturing. These illustrations offer a fascinating glimpse into the technological advancements of the Industrial Revolution, highlighting the ingenuity and precision of early industrial engineers and artisans. From intricate textile looms to powerful steel mills, Industrial Revolution: Foundations of Modern Manufacturing documents the evolution of manufacturing processes and reflects the era’s unyielding pursuit of progress.
Top image: Detail of drawing by W. Silverwood, engraved by J.W. Lowry, Plate 6: figures 1-7 (blast furnace and components) in Papers on iron and steel: practical and experimental (1840) by David Mushet. Printed in London by John Weale. K6691.1
Accessibility: UNSW Main Library is wheelchair accessible and the exhibition will include large-text artwork labels.