Boulton, Watt and Murdoch facts for kids
Boulton, Watt and Murdoch is a famous statue in Birmingham, England. It shows three important historical figures: Matthew Boulton, James Watt, and William Murdoch. These men were brilliant inventors and engineers who worked together and helped kickstart the Industrial Revolution. The statue is made of bronze and covered in shiny gold, making it a real eye-catcher!
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Meet the Golden Boys
The statue was created by William Bloye, with help from Raymond Forbes Kings. It stands on a strong base made of Portland stone. People often call the statue "The Golden Boys" because of its shiny gold color. Another funny nickname is "The Carpet Salesmen." This is because the men in the statue are looking at a partially rolled-up plan of a steam engine, which some people think looks like a roll of carpet or wallpaper!
Who Were These Important Men?
- Matthew Boulton was a successful businessman and factory owner. He was great at organizing and selling.
- James Watt was a Scottish inventor who greatly improved the steam engine. His changes made steam engines much more efficient.
- William Murdoch was an engineer and inventor who worked for Boulton and Watt. He helped develop gas lighting and improved steam engines even further.
Together, their company, Boulton & Watt, built many steam engines. These engines powered factories and mines, changing the world forever!
The Statue's Journey
The idea for this statue came about a long time ago. Preliminary designs were drawn up in 1938. In 1939, money was raised to create it. A generous gift of £8,000 came from Richard Wheatley. The City Council also contributed £7,500.
Unveiling and First Home
The statue was finally finished and unveiled in 1956. For many years, it stood temporarily outside the Birmingham Register Office. This was its home until it needed some special care.
Restoration and New Location
In September 2006, the statue was restored and re-gilded. This means it was cleaned and given its golden shine back! Later, in 2017, the statue was temporarily moved into storage. This was to make way for the construction of the West Midlands Metro tram system.
But don't worry, it's back! On April 29, 2022, the statue was reinstalled on its plinth. You can now find it proudly standing in Centenary Square outside Symphony Hall in Birmingham. It's a great reminder of the city's rich history and its connection to the Industrial Revolution.
See also
- St. Mary's Church, Handsworth (memorials inside the church)
- Soho Manufactory
- Soho Foundry
- Soho Mint
- Boulton & Watt steam engine
