The importance of access to knowledge for technological progress in the Industrial Revolution

Erik Hornung, Julius Koschnick () and Francesco Cinnirella
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Julius Koschnick: London School of Economics

No 41, ECONtribute Policy Brief Series from University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany

Abstract: Sustained technological progress was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. This column argues that access to knowledge was crucial for innovation and technological diffusion during this period. Inventors and entrepreneurs needed access to useful knowledge to generate new ideas and continue innovating. Such access was provided by the ‘economic societies’ – associations of individuals interested in improving the local economy. These societies became drivers of knowledge diffusion and innovation.

Pages: 13 pages
Date: 2022-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cse, nep-ent, nep-gro, nep-his, nep-ino, nep-knm, nep-sbm and nep-ure
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ajk:ajkpbs:041

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