The Birth of the Machines (S01E04)

Michael Buerk explores the rise of mass manufacturing, which revolutionized the speed of production. In Manchester, he uncovers how engineer George Stephenson developed the first intercity railway, enabling the swift and affordable transport of cotton from Liverpool's docks to the mills in Manchester. He also delves into the impact of the sewing machine, invented in 1851, which sparked the rag trade. Additionally, Michael visits the Burlington Arcade in London, believed to be one of the UK’s earliest shopping malls, showcasing the changing landscape of consumer culture.