Anton Howes
@antonhowes.bsky.social
Historian of invention. www.ageofinvention.xyz
Reposted by Anton Howes
On England‘s post-Black Death labor regime: wage suppression across the board and bans on mobility (including on priests), differing from continental equivalents in being tied to strict anti-inflationary monetary policy and in lasting centuries later
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression
There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.
www.ageofinvention.xyz
November 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
On England‘s post-Black Death labor regime: wage suppression across the board and bans on mobility (including on priests), differing from continental equivalents in being tied to strict anti-inflationary monetary policy and in lasting centuries later
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
Nice piece from @antonhowes.bsky.social on @britishacademy.bsky.social Fellow Joel Mokyr who won the economics Nobel. As Anton brings out, it’s great to see the prize recognising economic history, especially that which comes out in books
www.worksinprogress.news/p/what-makes...
www.worksinprogress.news/p/what-makes...
What makes Joel Mokyr great
His Nobel is a triumph for history and the importance of ideas
www.worksinprogress.news
October 14, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Nice piece from @antonhowes.bsky.social on @britishacademy.bsky.social Fellow Joel Mokyr who won the economics Nobel. As Anton brings out, it’s great to see the prize recognising economic history, especially that which comes out in books
www.worksinprogress.news/p/what-makes...
www.worksinprogress.news/p/what-makes...
Reposted by Anton Howes
It was cool to see that Mokyr got the Nobel in economics. @antonhowes.bsky.social has a nice write up here: www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: Joel Mokyr's Nobel
A triumph for history and the importance of ideas
www.ageofinvention.xyz
October 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
It was cool to see that Mokyr got the Nobel in economics. @antonhowes.bsky.social has a nice write up here: www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
A little-known invention that made obsolete a lot of child labour: the "scandiscope", invented by George Smart (1757ish – 1834), allowed an adult chimney sweep to avoid employing "climbing boys" as assistants.
Words by @antonhowes.bsky.social:
Words by @antonhowes.bsky.social:
September 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A little-known invention that made obsolete a lot of child labour: the "scandiscope", invented by George Smart (1757ish – 1834), allowed an adult chimney sweep to avoid employing "climbing boys" as assistants.
Words by @antonhowes.bsky.social:
Words by @antonhowes.bsky.social:
Reposted by Anton Howes
Good morning. A terrific long read ahead of a long holiday weekend on the perils of wage & price controls drawn from the post Black Death UK.
One thing I love about Bluesky is people on this site read & think. This is worthy of your time.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
One thing I love about Bluesky is people on this site read & think. This is worthy of your time.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression
There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.
www.ageofinvention.xyz
August 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Good morning. A terrific long read ahead of a long holiday weekend on the perils of wage & price controls drawn from the post Black Death UK.
One thing I love about Bluesky is people on this site read & think. This is worthy of your time.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
One thing I love about Bluesky is people on this site read & think. This is worthy of your time.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression
There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.
www.ageofinvention.xyz
August 26, 2025 at 9:43 AM
My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: The Century-Long Depression
There’s an old proverb about England, current in the sixteenth century, that it was a hell for horses, a paradise for women, and a purgatory or prison for servants.
www.ageofinvention.xyz
August 26, 2025 at 9:43 AM
My latest post! On England's centuries of maximum wages (yes, you read that right), and how they led to a Lost Century of stagnant growth and a dwindling population, while the rest of Europe forged ahead.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
Long but cool read on the centuries-long process of inventing, forgetting, and reinventing coal briquettes
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: All Fired Up
The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette
www.ageofinvention.xyz
July 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Long but cool read on the centuries-long process of inventing, forgetting, and reinventing coal briquettes
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: All Fired Up
The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette
www.ageofinvention.xyz
July 2, 2025 at 9:08 AM
My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: All Fired Up
The mystifying, centuries-long failure of the coal briquette
www.ageofinvention.xyz
July 2, 2025 at 9:08 AM
My latest post! In researching the history of coal, I stumbled across a puzzle that has baffled people for over four hundred years: why the coal briquette never became widely adopted in England.
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Now, finally, there is an answer!
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.
June 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.
Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.
June 10, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Does anyone know how to get in touch with the historian and antiquary Malcolm Thick? I've tried via various institutions he's associated with, but no reply from them.
The sale is still on!
Woah, would you look at that! My book, ARTS & MINDS: How the Royal Society of Arts changed a Nation, is currently half price from the publishers - for just a few days only!
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Arts and Minds
A history of the extraordinary society that has touched all aspects of British life
press.princeton.edu
May 14, 2025 at 10:41 AM
The sale is still on!
Woah, would you look at that! My book, ARTS & MINDS: How the Royal Society of Arts changed a Nation, is currently half price from the publishers - for just a few days only!
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Arts and Minds
A history of the extraordinary society that has touched all aspects of British life
press.princeton.edu
May 1, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Woah, would you look at that! My book, ARTS & MINDS: How the Royal Society of Arts changed a Nation, is currently half price from the publishers - for just a few days only!
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Reposted by Anton Howes
Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time
The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I
www.ageofinvention.xyz
April 23, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time
The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I
www.ageofinvention.xyz
April 23, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Making pale ale cheaply and at scale was a major prize: a healthier, tastier, and more standardised drink, with major savings in terms of straw that could be better used for feeding cattle.
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
But it was far easier said than done. See my latest post:
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Reposted by Anton Howes
Interesting blog on malt kilning and pale ales.
April 23, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Interesting blog on malt kilning and pale ales.
Reposted by Anton Howes
My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time
The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I
www.ageofinvention.xyz
April 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Age of Invention: Just Kiln Time
The Quest for Pale Ale, Part I
www.ageofinvention.xyz
April 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
My latest post! On the long and winding quest to develop pale ale. Involving nefarious noblemen, a failed plot to raise illegal taxes, and the Dutch alchemist who invented the thermostat.
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
www.ageofinvention.xyz/p/age-of-inv...
Had a lot of fun doing this. And just days after recording discovered some evidence I’d missed, confirming that Cornelis Drebbel’s perpetual motion worked the way I suspected, using expanding mercury to rewind its springs!
A new #EchoesofHistory is out covering the Age of Invention around England and the world in the time of #AssassinsCreedSyndicate.
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
The Age of Invention: The Beginning of the Modern World?
Echoes of History · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Had a lot of fun doing this. And just days after recording discovered some evidence I’d missed, confirming that Cornelis Drebbel’s perpetual motion worked the way I suspected, using expanding mercury to rewind its springs!
Reposted by Anton Howes
A new #EchoesofHistory is out covering the Age of Invention around England and the world in the time of #AssassinsCreedSyndicate.
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
The Age of Invention: The Beginning of the Modern World?
Echoes of History · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
A new #EchoesofHistory is out covering the Age of Invention around England and the world in the time of #AssassinsCreedSyndicate.
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
#HistoryHit @mattlewishistory.bsky.social speaks with @antonhowes.bsky.social in this packed episode.
#AssassinsCreed @ubisoft.com
open.spotify.com/episode/19KO...
Reposted by Anton Howes
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
April 3, 2025 at 7:52 AM
💫 We’re launching the Centre for British Progress
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
Our founding essay: Rediscovering British Progress is a case for growth that drives shared progress, rooted in Britain's values and industrial heritage.
It all starts with a postcard from 1870 👇
britishprogress.org/articles/red...
@bho.bsky.social Hello, when will I be able to purchase a subscription again? I keep getting blocked by the paywall, and then told I am unable to pay to get past it. Could you please either release your paywalled stuff or fix subscriptions? Now that the archived site is down, this is impossible.
March 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
@bho.bsky.social Hello, when will I be able to purchase a subscription again? I keep getting blocked by the paywall, and then told I am unable to pay to get past it. Could you please either release your paywalled stuff or fix subscriptions? Now that the archived site is down, this is impossible.
Reposted by Anton Howes
Such chutzpah ~ shortly after Caesar’s assassination, Brutus ordered this celebratory coin to be issued, with his own face on the front & reverse showing daggers, liberty cap & notation (= Ides of March). Sold for $4.2m, one of only 3 known gold examples
www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/...
www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/...
March 15, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Such chutzpah ~ shortly after Caesar’s assassination, Brutus ordered this celebratory coin to be issued, with his own face on the front & reverse showing daggers, liberty cap & notation (= Ides of March). Sold for $4.2m, one of only 3 known gold examples
www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/...
www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/...
Reposted by Anton Howes
In honour of international women’s day – was the motor car co-invented by a woman? And have we been robbing her of credit for 140 years?
The story begins with a heist…
The story begins with a heist…
March 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
In honour of international women’s day – was the motor car co-invented by a woman? And have we been robbing her of credit for 140 years?
The story begins with a heist…
The story begins with a heist…