Theme Intriguing People

Invention of the whippletree

The Chinese invented the whippletree, this allowed two oxen to pull a single cart together, this meant double the load, so halving the journey time. This invention probably dates between 190 – 209 AD. Related posts:Telford’s Menai Straits Bridge 1826 Thomas Telford’s Menai Straits Bridge opened on 30th January 1826. It was the first modern…

Related posts:

  1. Telford’s Menai Straits Bridge 1826 Thomas Telford’s Menai Straits Bridge opened on 30th January 1826. It was the first modern suspension bridge. For some great pictures of the bridge and to read about Robert Stephenson’s rail bridge, follow the link….
  2. Who declared war on Britain in 1812? During the Napoleonic war, Britain was concerned with preventing France from trading with neutral countries, including America. The Navy sought out and intercepted American merchant vessels and sometimes removed the crew and ‘pressed’ them into serving the King’s Navy. Needless to say the Americans were not happy with this turn of events and on 12th……
  3. Absence from school in rural areas 1876 The Rural Poor and Education 1876…
  4. Remember the smell of carbolic in schools? Joseph Lister discovered that he could reduce infections in hospitals by using carbolic dressings, soaps and sprays. Within years, carbolic soap and powder used in many schools, to try to curb the incidences and deaths from contagious diseases such as diphtheria, measles and scarlet fever which spread through schools at an alarming rate. Schools were……
  5. Education Acts of 1870, 1873, 1876, tough on poor families? The affect of the Education Acts on poor families…
Read More

What is a Militia List or Muster Roll?

Militia lists and books or muster rolls, have their origins in Anglo Saxon times, when it became necessary to be able to call on a group of men, who, at a moments notice, could act as a local defence unit. This was particularly important when the ‘army’ was engaged in battle away from home. Recruitment…

Related posts:

  1. Doppler Effect Discovered 1842 In 1842, Austrian Christian Doppler reveals his discovery that the frequency of waves emitted by a moving source changes when the source moves relative to the observer. This called the Doppler Effect….
  2. Removal Act 1795 The Removal Act 1795, was an amendment to the Settlement Act of 1662 and stated that a ‘non settled’ person could not be removed from a parish unless they applied for relief. This would possibly, have given people greater opportunities for seeking work in other parishes. An examination in the parish archives of settlement and……
Read More

Spitfire 1936

The Spitfire fighter aircraft was first flown in 1936 and began service with the RAF in 1938. If you or your family have any connections with this magnificent and iconic aircraft then a visit to the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum will bring you into close contact with both of these fighter aircraft. The museum…

Read More