ABSTRACT
One hundred and fifty years ago the UK prospered from the Industrial Revolution. The inventors and entrepreneurs who had contributed to this economic growth and global prosperity were popular heroes and heroines. Richard Arkwright (founder of the cotton mills), Richard Hargreaves (pioneer of the modern woollen industry), Thomas Chippendale (furniture) and Josiah Wedgwood (pottery) are still remembered for their differentiated, high-quality products. Samuel Cunard (shipping), George Stephenson (inventor of the first truly successful railway locomotive) and Isambard Brunel (pioneer of the Great Western Railway) left us a transport infrastructure. Rowland Hill made sure we have a postal service. Bankers such as Robert Fleming financed the growing businesses. Alongside some of these great achievements of the nineteenth century, social entrepreneurs also made an impact. Thomas Barnardo opened homes for homeless children, William Booth founded the Salvation Army, Elizabeth Fry pioneered prison reform, Florence Nightingale invented modern nursing and Robert Owen inspired trade unions and the Co-operative movement.
