Colonial Industry Collection

GLASSBLOWING, 18th CENTURY. The glassmaker begins to blow the glass after the second heat. Copper engraving, French, 18th century

PRINTING PRESS, 1639. The first printing press brought to colonial America in 1639 by the English printer Stephen Daye, who set it up in Cambridge, Massachusetts

COLONIAL CLOTH MAKERS. Carding, spinning, and weaving woolen cloth in an 18th century American household. Drawing, 19th century

PRINTING, 18th CENTURY. The type of hand-press used in colonial America during the 18th century. Typefounders cut, early 19th century

COLONIAL CLOTH MAKERS. Carding, spinning, and weaving woolen cloth in an 18th century American household. Drawing, 19th century

TEXTILE COTTAGE INDUSTRY. The cottage industry of carding, spinning, and weaving of wool or flax into cloth in colonial America. Wood engraving, early 19th century

COLONIAL IRON WORKS. A 20th-century artists reconstruction of the Saugus Iron Works in Saugus, Massachusetts, in operation from 1664 to 1668, the first integrated iron works in North America

COLONIAL SPINNER, 18th C. Spinning at the hearth of a colonial American home. Illustration by C.W. Jefferys

A brandy distillery: line engraving, French, 18th century
DISTILLERY, 18th CENTURY. A brandy distillery: line engraving, French, 18th century

Cails still for the
RUM PRODUCTION: STILL. Cails still for the manufacture of rum in the French West Indies. Line engraving, French, 9th century

A colonial American apothecary: colored line engraving, late 18th century
COLONIAL APOTHECARY, 18th C. A colonial American apothecary: colored line engraving, late 18th century

Colonial blacksmiths forging muskets for the minutemen at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War
COLONIAL BLACKSMITH, 1776. Colonial blacksmiths forging muskets for the minutemen at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. Color engraving, 19th century

A colonial American blacksmith forges weapons at the outbreak of the Revoutionary War
COLONIAL BLACKSMITH, 18th C. A colonial American blacksmith forges weapons at the outbreak of the Revoutionary War. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

A French wine press, invented by Abbe Legros; 18th century. From Denis Diderots L Encyclopedie
WINEMAKING, 18TH CENTURY. A French wine press, invented by Abbe Legros; 18th century. From Denis Diderots " L Encyclopedie."

COLONIAL LAUNDRESS. A colonial American laundress. English line engraving after an illustration by Hugh Thompson, 1894

DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1623. Settlement of Dover, New Hampshire, 1623. Wood engraving, American, c1838

PRINTING, 18th CENTURY. The type of hand-press used in colonial America during the 18th century. Wood engraving, 1868

PRINTING, 18th CENTURY. American printer and publisher Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) in his printing shop at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wood engraving, American, 19th century

CORKMAKERs SHOP. The cutting and sorting of cork stoppers in a corkmakers shop: line engraving, French, 18th century

CHEESE-MAKING, FRANCE. Cheese-making in Auvergne, France: engraving for Denis Diderots *Encyclopedie, Paris, 1751-1772

CHEESE-MAKING 18th CENTURY. Cheese-making in Auvergne, France: engraving for Denis Diderots Encyclopedie, Paris
CHEESE-MAKING 18th CENTURY. Cheese-making in Auvergne, France: engraving for Denis Diderots " Encyclopedie", Paris, 1751-1772

FURNITURE MAKING, FRANCE. Chairs being made: boy at left with brazier is melting glue for joints. Line engraving, French, 18th century

COLONIAL CURRIER. A colonial American currier. Line engraving, late 18th century

SHOEMAKERS, MID-18TH CENT. Line engraving, French

SHOEMAKERS, 19TH CENTURY. Line engraving, 19th century, after a painting by Henry Richter (1772-1857)

DIAMOND CUTTERS, 1867. / nA diamond-cutting exhibit at the Universal Exposition at Paris
DIAMOND CUTTERS, 1867. /nA diamond-cutting exhibit at the Universal Exposition at Paris, 1867, demonstrating the techniques and equipment used by the Coster firm of Amsterdam

COLONIAL PLUMBER. A colonial American plumber assisted by indentured servants. Line engraving, late 18th century

SWORD-MAKING, 18th CENTURY. An 18th-century French watermill, from L Encyclopedie of Denis Diderot

COLONIAL TYPEFOUNDER. A colonial American typefounder assisted by an indentured servant. Line engraving, late 18th century

WATERMILL, 18TH CENTURY. An 18th century French watermill, from L Encyclopedie by Denis Diderot

COLONIAL SOAPMAKER. A colonial American soapmaker assisted by an indentured servant. Line engraving, late 18th century

COLONIAL WATERMAN, 18th C. A colonial American waterman. Line engraving, late 18th century

COLONIAL CURRIER, 18th C. A colonial American currier. Color line engraving, late 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18TH CENTURY. Workers putting clay pots filled with glass ingredients into the main furnace of a glass manufactory: line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. The workman placing the finished bottle in the annealing oven; he will pull loose his punty rod leaving a rough spot at the base of the bottle

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. The annealing of broad glass: line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. Preparing to hoist the ladle of molten glass and swing it over the casting table for the manufacture of plate glass: line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18TH CENTURY. Glassware cooling slowly in an annealing oven, the glassware being contained in iron trays that are gradually pushed from the hottest region (rear) to the cooler front

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. A ladle of molten glass, ready to pour for the manufacture of plate glass, is pulled out of the furnace onto a carriage: line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. The workman shaping the rim of a bottle into place using pincers (fig)
GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. The workman shaping the rim of a bottle into place using pincers (fig. 3): line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSMAKING, 18th CENTURY. A workman dropping a ribbon of hot glass from the small pipe (c) onto the neck of a bottle to form the rim: line engraving, French, 18th century

GLASSBLOWER, 18th CENTURY. An 18th century glassblower begins to blow the glass after the second heat. Copper engraving, French, 18th century

DISTILLERY, 18th CENTURY. A brandy distillery: line engraving, French, 18th century

SILVERSMITH, 1750. The interior of a silversmiths workshop. Engraving, c1750

COLONIAL DYER. A colonial American dyer assisted by indentured servants. Line engraving, late 18th century

FLOUR MILL, 18th CENTURY. A side view through a mill illustrating the milling of flour, from the hopper (fig)
FLOUR MILL, 18th CENTURY. A side view through a mill illustrating the milling of flour, from the hopper (fig. 12), through the bolter or rotary sifter, to the grindstone (V): copper engraving

COLONIAL STONEMASON, 18th C. A colonial American stonemason: line engraving, late 18th century

SOAP MANUFACTURE. Enriching the olive oil-lye mixture with further oil as saponification progresses in the soap-boiler of a French soap factory. Line engraving, French, mid-18th century

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Colonial Industry: A Glimpse into the Thriving Craftsmanship of Early America In the 18th century, glassblowing was an intricate art form that captivated both artisans and onlookers alike. This copper engraving from France showcases a skilled glassmaker in action, as he carefully blows the molten glass after subjecting it to intense heat for the second time. The delicacy and precision required for this craft highlight the mastery of colonial glassmakers. As tensions escalated during the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, colonial American blacksmiths played a crucial role in forging weapons for their compatriots. This wood engraving depicts a dedicated blacksmith hard at work, shaping metal with his hammer amidst sparks flying through the air. Their craftsmanship not only armed soldiers but also symbolized their commitment to freedom. The advent of printing press technology revolutionized communication in colonial America. In 1639, English printer Stephen Daye brought over the first printing press to Cambridge, Massachusetts. This wood engraving captures this historic moment when words began flowing onto paper with ease and speed. The printing press became instrumental in disseminating ideas and fostering intellectual growth throughout early America. Textile production formed another vital aspect as carding, spinning, and weaving woolen cloth were essential skills passed down through generations. An illustration from an 18th-century source portrays these labor-intensive processes that took place within homes or small workshops across colonies like New England. These dedicated cloth makers ensured that colonists had access to warm garments made from locally sourced materials. Hand-presses were indispensable tools used by printers during colonial times; they allowed for mass production of newspapers, pamphlets, and books which fueled intellectual discourse among Americans striving for independence from British rule. The image shows one such hand-press commonly employed throughout 18th-century Colonial America - a testament to its enduring significance.