5 Things to Know About Thomas Newcomen

Thomas Newcomen (1663 - 1729) introduced to the world his invention at work in 1712 in Dudley Castle. His invention inspired others to develop it further allowing man to muster power bigger industries dawning the industrial revolution. But who was this fellow? Here are 5 things to know about Thomas Newcomen:

Newcomen House

Doc Recap: Reply to the 1852 Letter of President Fillmore

In 1854, Perry returned to Edo Bay to take the reply of the Japanese government from the letter that he delivered last year. A translation of the letter was made. Explore the contents of the reply of the Japan to the presidential letter.

Commodore Perry Meeting
the Japanese Commissioners

Doc Recap: 1854 Anglo-Japanese Treaty

Great Britain and Japan signed a treaty of friendship in Nagasaki just months after Perry left the Islands. It established the relation between the two countries and secured the opening of Japan for resupply. Explore the contents of the convention.

Sir James Sterling

The 7 Things to Know About Catherine of Braganza

Catherine of Braganza stood smaller in stature in contrast to other powerful women in English history. Nevertheless, she became a turning point that directed the history of the British Empire.

Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 2

Sir John Bowring lived a life of multiple careers. He published translated works from different European cultures before dedicating his time to the advancement of radical ideas, in particular utilitarianism. Then he became an MP or member of parliament advocating free trade and reforms in military discipline and prison conditions. Due to financial struggles he took positions overseas becoming a player in the advancement of British interest in the Far East.

Who was Sir John Bowring? - Part 1

Sir John Bowring lived a life of multiple careers. He published translated works from different European cultures before dedicating his time to the advancement of radical ideas, in particular utilitarianism. Then he became an MP or member of parliament advocating free trade and reforms in military discipline and prison conditions. Due to financial struggles he took positions overseas becoming a player in the advancement of British interest in the Far East.

The Bessemer Process The Process that Made the Modern World

Bessemer Converter

A process that change the world. It added steam to the already ongoing industrial revolution that hit the world. It allowed men to build new products and build structures towards the heavens. The Bessemer process allowed the mass production of steel, a material that shaped our modern world.

The Signing of the Magna Carta

King John signing the Magna Carta

It is an influential document in world history. It constricted the powers of a monarch in an era of absolute power of kings. It set the tone for the concept of civil rights. The Magna Carta of 1215 constrained the power of England’s King John and placed law above all else, including powerful monarchs.

Patience Is a Virtue: Worcestershire Sauce

Lea and Perrins ad
for the Worcestershire Sauce

In 1830’s a new sauce was produced in Great Britain. It became a popular condiment to various recipes. From steak, to salads, and to soups, the Worcestershire sauce gave a unique taste to it. But the background of how Worcestershire sauce came to be was shrouded with mystery along with its recipe.

John Cadbury: The Sweet Legacy

John Cadbury

Besides Milton Hershey, there were already numerous chocolatiers that began manufacturing in Europe. The French, the Dutch, and the Swiss all had artisans dedicated to chocolate making. Royals from Spain and France had high regards and consumed chocolate in their respective courts. Eventually, the British soon joined the ranks of chocoholics in Europe. And one of the leading chocolatiers of the Industrial Age in Britain was the most recognizable as well, Cadbury, John Cadbury.

South Sea Bubble: 18th Century Meltdown

South Sea Bubble by Edward Matthew Ward

In 2008, a global recession hit the world hard. It is a fact in an economy that there are periods of highs and lows, booms and bust. Bursting bubbles were inevitable if an authority is not careful enough. Bubbles are characterize by rapid rise of prices of a commodity and its sudden deflation caused by different circumstances. After nearly a century after the Tulip Mania, another bubble was created just a sea across, to England. A new and more volatile bubble was created. From a flower, the crazed turned to hopes and lies of a monopoly and profit of a company, the South Sea Company.

Briggs Plan: Containment of the Communists

New Villages - Product of the Briggs Plan (Credits: National Army Museum)

The world, after World War II, faced a new war, a war between two ideologies, between communism and democracy – the Cold War. Malaysia was among the nations ravaged by the new Cold War. As communist threats rose, the British had to act to contain it at the most efficient way. As the communist held influenced over the Chinese squatter’s hearts and minds, the British had to contain it in order to win. Their answer was the Briggs Plan.

Thatcher: First Female Prime Minister of UK - Part 4

G7 Group Photo

As she sought to change the affairs of his country domestically, she also made sure that Britain would also play key roles in the international issues, one of which was an issue that would bring the downfall of the Iron Lady. When Thatcher was prime minister, the Cold War was in its last stage. Also the issue of European integration was being widely discussed. The issue of European integration was so widely spoken that it caused a split within Thatcher’s Conservative Party. The split caused a rebellion that would cause the end of the Thatcher era.

Thatcher: First Female Prime Minister of UK - Part 3

Thatcher riding a tank

In 1982, the Thatcher government was very unpopular and on the brink of defeat in the upcoming elections. Many blamed her policies to be the cause of the 1980 recession. Suddenly, an event at the Southern Atlantic would turn her faith. An invasion would bring Thatcher another term and proceed to her plan of a country of capitalists.

Thatcher: First Female Prime Minister of UK - Part 2

Thatcher's 1979 Cabinet

For about 20 years after entering the Hose Common, Margaret Thatcher rose to position Prime Minister, being the first woman to do so in the western hemisphere; and as she took the responsibilities, she faced a lot of challenges. With Britain being economically uncompetitive, unproductive, and in the brink of bankruptcy, Thatcher brought reforms, regardless of their popularity rate.

Thatcher: First Female Prime Minister of UK - Part 1

Margaret Thatcher was a chemist

It is over a year after the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Even after her premiership and passing, she continued to polarized opinions about her policies. But what happened during the Premiership of Thatcher? What happened that made people to be divided over her period?

Nicknames of Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher is one of the most controversial figures of the 20th century. She was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1979 up until 1990. Her policies, which became known as Thatcherism, earned her respect, but also, criticisms. One way of insulting or praising her was giving her names.

Afternoon Tea: Beginings in Victorian Era

Anna Maria, Duchess of Bedford

Afternoon tea did not begin until the 1800’s. It was created to combat a sinking feeling of a duchess during the afternoons due to the time between meals. It then became a favorite past time for the nobles and then for the whole country.

Royal Trend Setting: Catherine Braganza and Tea in England

Catherine of Braganza

Social media today produces countless trends, from music, to video, to challenges, and finally to food. Culinary trends such as dalgona coffee and baked sushi owed much of their buzz from Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Trends crosses boundaries faster than ever before – a hit in the Americas reaches Asia in a matter of days and even hours. But before the Information Age, trends travel slower with limited audiences. The role of influencers fell to royalties, such as the case of popularization of tea in England by Catherine of Braganza.

Printer CANCELLED for the the Wicked Bible

Businesses and artists today suffered the pressure and dread of committing a mistake and fear of getting CANCELED. The saying goes, “One mistake and people will forget all your good deeds.” In the 17th century, one printer suffered the fate of getting Canceled by royalty, but centuries later, the rich appreciated the mistake and paid millions. This is the story of Robert Barker and the Wicked Bible.