Anton Howes

Who are the best people in Scotland who work on Scottish policy? I don't mean politics, but policy. Taxation, healthcare, education, social care, housing, welfare, crime.

So often it appears to be dictated by politics-brained special advisers and a charity lobbyists...

Age of Invention: Tudor Trade War The true effects of Henry VII's "industrial policy"

NEW article by me, on Henry VII’s trade wars, and their long-term impact on labour restrictions www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: Tudor Trade War The true effects of Henry VII's "industrial policy"

NEW article by me, on Henry VII’s trade wars, and their long-term impact on labour restrictions www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

I can tell you for pre-1852 (which was the big reform, when the whole system was overhauled) and can think of a few papers that have looked at the late 19thC. But I’d not know where to look for the 20th.

Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.

On England‘s post-Black Death labor regime: wage suppression across the board and bans on mobility (including on priests), differing from continental equivalents in being tied to strict anti-inflationary monetary policy and in lasting centuries later

www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

What makes Joel Mokyr great His Nobel is a triumph for history and the importance of ideas

Nice piece from @antonhowes.bsky.social on @britishacademy.bsky.social Fellow Joel Mokyr who won the economics Nobel. As Anton brings out, it’s great to see the prize recognising economic history, especially that which comes out in books
www.worksinprogress.news/p/what-makes...

🥱 Yes, we know.

Age of Invention: Joel Mokyr's Nobel A triumph for history and the importance of ideas

It was cool to see that Mokyr got the Nobel in economics. @antonhowes.bsky.social has a nice write up here: www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

In 1803 the Society for Superseding the Necessity of Climbing Boys (SSNCB) was founded to promote a technological replacement for child labour in sweeping chimneys. To meet the challenge, by 1805 Smart applied his interlocking hollow poles to design a ‘scandiscope’. A sweep could sit in safety at the hearth, assembling the poles while pushing them up the chimney shaft. Once the contraption reached the top, a cord running down the middle of the tubes was pulled, opening brushes to pull the soot back down with it. A skilled sweep could use it to clean a chimney in as little as 9 minutes, and, with a wet rag over the brush, it could put out house fires starting in the flue. In recognition of his achievement, the Society of Arts awarded Smart its gold medal in 1805 and 1807, and he received a premium from the SSNCB in 1805. By keeping his prices low, and with the SSNCB's backing, Smart's scandiscope spread rapidly throughout London. By 1807 the prince of Wales had adopted the technology for use at his residences. It met more resistance in other cities, but finally armed with a viable alternative to climbing boys (with later improvements to the device in 1828 by Joseph Glass), the SSNCB turned its attention to lobbying for legislation to force the scandiscope's adoption, with eventual success.

A little-known invention that made obsolete a lot of child labour: the "scandiscope", invented by George Smart (1757ish – 1834), allowed an adult chimney sweep to avoid employing "climbing boys" as assistants.

Words by @antonhowes.bsky.social:

Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.

Good morning. A terrific long read ahead of a long holiday weekend on the perils of wage & price controls drawn from the post Black Death UK.

One thing I love about Bluesky is people on this site read & think. This is worthy of your time.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.

My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.

My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Interesting question! Nothing obvious springs to mind, especially as so few of the sources I use say anything about how numerals were spoken aloud!

Age of Invention: All Fired Up The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette

Long but cool read on the centuries-long process of inventing, forgetting, and reinventing coal briquettes
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: All Fired Up The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette

My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.

Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: All Fired Up The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette

My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.

Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.

Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.

The sale is still on!

Drivers of the world, road-price!

Arts and Minds A history of the extraordinary society that has touched all aspects of British life

Woah, would you look at that! My book, ARTS & MINDS: How the Royal Society of Arts changed a Nation, is currently half price from the publishers - for just a few days only!

press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...

Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I

Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.

But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I

Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.

But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Interesting blog on malt kilning and pale ales.

Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I

My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.

www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I

My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.

www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...

Had a lot of fun doing this. And just days after recording discovered some evidence I’d missed, confirming that Cornelis Drebbel’s perpetual motion worked the way I suspected, using expanding mercury to rewind its springs!

The Age of Invention: The Beginning of the Modern World? Echoes of History · Episode

A new #EchoesofHistory is out covering the Age of Invention around England and the world in the time of #AssassinsCreedSyndicate.

#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.

#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com

open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...

Cover of the essay Rediscovering British Progress available at https://britishprogress.org/articles/rediscovering-british-progress

💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress

Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.

It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇

britishprogress.org/articles/red...

Thanks very much - done!