Doc Recap: Viscount Torrington's Account of Cromford

Coming from a family of illustrious soldiers, John Byng, the later 5th Viscount of Torrington, decided to add a sideline to his resume, that of a traveller and a diarist. He toured England in a time of breathtaking changes in landscape of the country courtesy of the Industrial Revolution. One of his entries described Cromford the facilities owned by the celebrated inventor and businessman Richard Arkwright.

John Byng by Ozias Humphrey, 1796

The Enigmatic Thomas Newcomen

The Baptist preacher and iron monger Thomas Newcomen and his partner John Calley held their breath as they watched and waited for the beam of their new strange device to swing up and down. Newcomen betted 10 years of their lives, hardwork and experimentation on this device. Its result dictated not only if this bet paid off but also the fate of England’s mining industry and even beyond.

10 Things to Know About Catalan Economy of the 18th Century

From the devastation of the Spanish Succession War that the 18th century introduced, Catalonia emerged with a flourishing economy that exploited the reforms of Spain’s new Bourbon Kings. Here are 10 things to know about Catalonia's economic revival during that century:

Economic Miracle of Catalonia in the 18th Century

After suffering more than a decade of war and devastation in its wake, the people of Catalonia dreaded their future in the hands of their victor, King Felipe V (Philip V) of Spain. Either they continue to fight to the very end or make the best out of a bad situation. Their decision dictated their fate in their future in the economic life of Spain.

10 Things to Know about King Louis-Philippe, the Last King of the French

The Citizen King, King of the French, the last King of France, titles given to Louis Philippe who ruled the continental kingdom during a tumultuous century in European history. Here are 10 things to know about him.

The Millennial King of the French Louis-Philippe

How does a rich millennial spend his life? Pampered as a child, then passionately engulfed for a cause in his teenage years, then travels the world, before undergoing maturity on or during career, after which perhaps in old age have a more conservative view like all other generations.

10 Things to Know about Nicolas Appert and his Innovation in Food Preservation

Nicolas Appert made a leap in food preservation that it changed the diet of entire mankind within the 19th century turning food into an industry. Here are 10 things to know about Nicolas Appert, his time, and his innovation.

The Tragedy of Nicolas Appert

Innovating does not always ensure success or prosperity. Some ended up in dire financial stress for the rest of their lives. Just as the case for the father of modern food industry and thinker behind canning or rather bottling, Nicolas Appert.

From War to Tables: The Times and Innovation of Nicolas Appert

Nuclear energy and GPS all began with military use before creating a massive impact for its civilian use. Joining these example: the canned and packed foods bought from the groceries or markets. 

Industrialized Canning, 1917

Yes, apparently like nuclear energy, our packed goodies traced its development from war. A war that raged during the turn of the 18th and 19th century. The time when Europe plunged into the chaos of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

From Textile to AI - Who is Joseph-Marie Jacquard?

AI, binary codes, metaverse - complex jargons that would be dumbfounded if Joseph-Marie Charles aka Joseph Jacquard rose up from his grave and discovered the result of his machine - the Jacquard Loom. 

A failed businessman and a jack of many trades, how did Joseph Jacquard build a machine considered as one of the ancestors of our modern computer?

10 Things to know about the Industrial Revolution of France

France is a major economy in Europe and in the world and much of its industries witnessed their growth during the 19th century that saw an explosion of innovation and advancements. Here are 10 things to know about the industrial revolution of France:

Who was Bandar Singh Bahadur?

Guru Gobind galvanized a generation of Sikhs earning him enormous respect second only to Guru Nanak. After his assassination in 1708, he said to have ordered a slave of his to punish the Mughals that have done harm to Sikhism. This man who declared himself as a servant of the Guru named Banda Singh Bahadur.

Banda Singh Bahadur (image from sikhwiki.org)

Who was Guru Gobind Singh?

If Guru Hargobind established the foundation of Sikh martial tradition, Guru Gobind built the structure that furthered the militarization.

Rise and Fall of King Louis XIV

To write about the life of King Louis XIV (1623 – 1715, r. 1651 – 1715) paralleled writing of a novel. He did not became the most renowned King of France for nothing. His reign had tumultuous event that shaped French and world history.

Great Leaders: King Kamehameha I (Part 5): Ruling a United Kingdom of Hawaii

Kamehameha in Civilization V

With Kamehameha setting up a new government of a united peaceful Hawaii, the people finally focused from war to livelihood. In this aspect of life, Hawaiians and Kamehameha faced a transforming dynamics with the arrival foreigners.

Great Leaders: King Kamehameha I (Part 4): Ruling a United Kingdom of Hawaii

King Kamehameha I

After centuries of infighting, the islands of Hawaii (or at least majority of it) united under the rule of King Kamehameha. Through technology, divine intervention, and deception, he led his warrior to victory and finally ending generations of conflict. Uniting Hawaii was one part of Kamehameha’s story, the other part was about ruling a kingdom in peace. So how did Kamehameha made the transition from a war lord to a peaceful governing ruler? How Hawaii transformed from islands divided into several chiefdoms and into a united kingdom under one king?

Great Leaders: King Kamehameha I (Part 3): Unifying the Hawaiian Islands

Kamehameha as depicted in Civilization V

After the fall of Kiwala’o in 1782, Hawaii’s geopolitical situation dramatically changed. The once united island kingdom of Hawaii had been divided into three kingdoms ruled by Kamehameha, Keoua, and Keawema’uhili. Beyond the island of Hawaii, conditions also changed significantly. After centuries of brutal fighting between numerous higher chiefs, a single leader emerged as the most prominent. Kahekili – King of Maui Island – took control over Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and indirectly ruled Kauai, through his brother’s assistance. Kamehameha’s destiny as prophesied during his birth seemed slipping away and taken by Kahekili. How Kamehameha turned things around and became the unifier of Hawaiian Archipelago?

Great Leaders: King Kamehameha I (Part 2): Unifying the Home Islands

Kamehameha as depicted in Civilization V

Kamehameha faced tremendous challenges as he assumed his position as one of the high chiefs or ali’i in the big island of Hawaii. After a bloody civil war, the island had been split into three ruled by him, Keoua, and Keawema’uhili. Outside the island of Hawaii, King Kahekili of Maui had advance his domains to the islands of Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu. He even controlled indirectly through his brother the islands of Kauai and Nahuii. Kamehameha faced a though threat outside Hawaii and faced division within his home island. How could he unite all Hawaiian island if his home island itself suffered division? How Kamehameha did united his home island of Hawaii?

Great Leaders: King Kamehameha I (Part 1): The Beginning

Kamehameha I

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Islands of Hawaii hosted millions of vacationers in its paradise. But behind this paradise lies a chaotic past. A history of war that ravaged for centuries. An island divided into several chiefs and kings, each vying for supremacy and power over the others. But in the 18th century, one man put an end to it all and brought peace and unity to this archipelago– King Kamehameha the Great.

Colbertisme and the French Economy

Abenomics, Bidenomics, Thatcherism - it seems to be a fad among politicians to label their economic policies. Apparently it also applies to economic managers from distant past, like the case of the 17th century financial and economic manager of King Louis XIV (1643 - 1715) of France. So who is Jean-Baptiste Colbert? What are the pillars of his so-called Colbertisme? Was he successful?

Jean Baptiste Colbert