After the reign of Elizabeth I, England developed and entered its golden age through the Industrial Revolution. We head to the Derwent Valley to find traces of this era. In the late 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution, the large empire constantly expanded across the world, and London prospered as a center of international trade. This is the Derwent Valley, which can be called the cradle of the English Industrial Revolution. In the late 17th century, England began to produce cotton textiles using cotton from India and exported them throughout Europe. As the cotton textiles gained immense popularity in Europe, England shifted its focus from woolen products, which had been its mainstay, to the development of the cotton industry. The Derwent Valley became the mecca of the cotton industry, where modern factories were established in the 18th and 19th centuries. This place truly embodies that legacy.

This place has truly written a new page in the history of human civilization, and it makes my heart swell with emotion. This is where the first water-powered spinning mill was established. The small water wheels, forcefully turning and splashing white foam, are the very substance that made Britain the world's factory and created an empire that never set. By utilizing the power of nature rather than human labor, Britain initiated the Industrial Revolution, raising the level of wealth of human civilization to an unprecedented level. It is indeed a site of great creation. 

The reason the first spinning mill in Cromford was established in 1771 is that there was a nearby waterway that could provide a stable water supply. The building I see before me is the first spinning mill, constructed in 1776. This is where the Cromford Mill began, and thus, the Industrial Revolution commenced.

This place, though transformed into almost a ruin due to the ravages of time, is indeed the site where human history was rewritten. Nearby, I found a location that showcases the early spinning mill, so I went to take a look. What was the appearance of that old factory like? 

As I stepped inside, it felt as if I had boarded a time machine and traveled back to the past. The machines here were instrumental in turning a small island nation called England into a vast empire that dominated a quarter of the world. What’s even more surprising is that this antique spinning machine, which I thought was just a relic, is still operational. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, cotton grown in America was brought to England, where it was transformed into textiles. The device that feeds the cotton from both sides is known as a flying shuttle, which was a groundbreaking invention at the time.

We are now able to create fabric much faster. It's truly moving because this is the flying book that I only read about in books. I didn't know what it was, but seeing it in person, it feels like it's containing poetry. It's moving so quickly, almost like it's flying, while weaving the fabric. With this, humanity has started to create something not with human hands, but with machines. 

We are heading towards the Ironbridge Valley, searching for another cradle of the Industrial Revolution. This place, from the factory to the railway, holds all the elements that contributed to the industrial development of the 19th century. It is known as a symbol of the world's Industrial Revolution. Among them, the most representative is the Iron Bridge itself. 

The village is very pretty. The village is beautiful, and I really enjoy the tranquility. However, I am currently feeling very moved.

I'm feeling a certain way about the bridge I'm currently walking on; it is the first iron bridge ever built in human history. The Iron Bridge was constructed in 1779 by the Derbyshire ironworks and is the world's first iron bridge. Building a railway bridge at that time was something unimaginable. This bridge marked the rise of cast iron as the primary material for construction. From this point, mass production of iron began, ushering in the era of the Industrial Revolution. Here, there is a marker indicating that it was made in 1779; it truly is very old. This was during the reign of King Jeongjo when iron bridges like this were built. When I come to the Iron Bridge, I always think of certain people. Ultimately, making history and advancing civilization is not achieved in a single generation; it requires dedication and effort across multiple generations. The Medici family from Florence is one such example.

Just as the Renaissance brought forth change, the Iron Bridge was also a product of the Derby family, an entrepreneurial lineage in England. Derby I created the foundry, while Derby II further developed and commercialized the steam engine. Over three generations, when the third Derby came into power, a significant amount of money was invested in constructing this bridge, allowing it to stand tall as a center of the world. The emergence of democracy and industrial evolution transformed this remote island nation into a powerful empire, made possible by the sacrifices and dedication of countless individuals. 

Now, we are aboard the flagship Victoria, which Admiral Nelson commanded during the naval battle in 1805.

세계테마기행 - 영국 프랑스 문명기행 1부 대영제국을 걷다_#003

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세계테마기행 - 영국 프랑스 문명기행 1부 대영제국을 걷다_#003

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