Soho Manufactory

thumb|The Soho Manufactory in 1800.

The Soho Manufactory () was an early factory which pioneered mass production on the assembly line principle, in Soho, Birmingham, England, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It operated from 1766–1848 and was demolished in 1853.

Beginnings

In 1756, Edward Ruston leased land on Handsworth Heath from the Lord of the Manor. He deepened Hockley Brook, and built a rolling mill powered by it.

In 1761 (or 1764

Production

thumb|The Soho Manufactory .

The Manufactory produced a wide range of goods from buttons, buckles and boxes to japanned ware (collectively called "toys"), and later luxury products such as silverware and ormolu (a type of gilded bronze).

Steam engines

In 1782, it became the first site with a Watt steam engine with the sun and planet gear. It was also home to the first steam-powered mint, whose presses were subsequently used at the first Birmingham Mint.

Later

In later years, the Manufactory was served by canal at Soho Wharf, at the end of the short Soho Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigations' Soho Loop.

The manufactory was demolished in 1853 and the site subsequently used for housing.

References

A History of Birmingham, Chris Upton, 1993,

External links

Early photograph: Search for "Soho Manufactory early photograph" from Birmingham Images
Other engravings: Search for "Engraving soho staffordshire" at Birmingham Images
Elevated view: Search for "Button and Silver Plate Works" at Birmingham Images