1829 McLean / Heath Satirical Print Criticizing Technological Advancement

A rare and highly imaginative satirical work, this print was produced by William Heath and published by Thomas McLean around the year 1829. It is the rarest of three prints issued Heath and McLean that both ridicule and revel in the deluge of new inventions that accompanied the Industrial Revolution.

A Closer Look

A chaotic scene greets the viewer, as machines and gadgets of every sort drive, sail, and float hither and yon. Heath ridicules the embrace of novelties for the sake of newness, as with the 'gymnastics' stage at left, where 'ladies and gentlemen [are] taught the pleasant and very useful art of walking with their heads downwards.' He also lampoons the marketing practices of entrepreneurs, particularly the trumpeting of patents and overpromising the benefits of their inventions. For example, the 'patent fire' at bottom-right pokes fun at the sales pitch of the new patent holders, who, it is suggested, are simply putting old wine into new bottles. At bottom-left sits a completely useless cast iron watchman.

A box at center titled 'Acme of Human Invention…' displays an array of imaginary machines that could replace the work done by servants, such as cleaning, washing clothes, and cooking. To its left are two tunnels running to the North Pole and South America; the first Thames Tunnel, the world's first underwater tunnel, was being built when this print was published, and contemporary readers would immediately recognize the connection. At center, around and behind the 'Acme of Human Invention' box, a 'royal consolidation rainbow bridge' connects London to St. Helena. This is also likely a reference to contemporary events, as Britain witnessed an iron bridge building spree in the early-mid 19th century, including the Vauxhall Bridge (completed 1816) and Hammersmith Bridge (1827) over the Thames in London. The terminus of St. Helena is perhaps a reference to Napoleon and the former emperor's championing of the new over established methods and mores.

Works in this vein serve as a reminder that the Industrial Revolution was not embraced by everyone. The creators and consumers of such works should not necessarily be considered intransigent Luddites; in fact, Heath seems to have been equally amused and fascinated by such fanciful inventions.

Publication History and Census

This print was drawn by William Heath (as indicated by the small figure representing his pseudonymous identity 'Paul Pry' at bottom-left) and published by Thomas McLean around 1829. It was part of a series of satirical prints by McLean which began with the phrase 'March of …' (the March of Invention, the March of Morality, and so on). There were three 'March of Intellect' prints, this being the rarest (Mellby, p. 17). This print is accordingly scarce; we are only aware of examples held at Princeton University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. References are made in publications to an example held by the British Museum, but we are unable to locate it in their catalog.