The 18th century (also referred to as the 1700s) began the first Industrial Revolution. Modern manufacturing began with steam engines replacing animal labor. The 18th century saw the widespread replacement of manual labor by new inventions and machinery.
The 18th century was also part of the "The Age of Enlightenment", an historical period characterized by a change away from traditional religious sources of authority, and a move towards science and rational thought.
The effects of 18th century enlightenment led to the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution.The 18th century saw the spread of capitalism and the increased availability of printed materials.
- Jethro Tull invents the seed drill.
- Bartolomeo Cristofori invents the piano.
- Englishmen, John Shore invents the tuning fork.
- Thomas Newcomen patents the atmospheric steam engine.
- Edmond Halley invents the diving bell.
- French C. Hopffer patents the fire extinguisher.
- Gabriel Fahrenheit invents the first mercury thermometer.
- John Kay invents the flying shuttle.
- E.G. von Kleist invents the leyden jar, the first electrical capacitor.