05. Steam power
In the early years, as we have seen, water power and fast flowing streams, dictated the location of the industry in and around Todmorden. If more water was needed, or a supply to see it through periods of drought, then the building a larger dam, or goit, would be required.
With the invention of the steam engine by Boulton & Watt in 1781, there was less reliance on water as the primary source of power.
Development of these machines, powered by steam, helped transform the location of the industry. Many mills were now being built near to the transport links, the canal and the railway, this enabled the raw material, coal and cotton, to be brought in and finished product shipped out with ease. By 1838 around 80% of the mills in this area were powered by steam, this increased to over 90% by 1850.
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