Science and Technic Revolution’s Impact on the Economic Development of Germany in 16th – 19th Centuries

Abstract

The authors consider how the introduction of new equipment and technologies into the German economy of the 16th–19th centuries led to new opportunities in the economy, to direct and side effects in the development of science and technology on the basis of the concept of global history, the theory of the nexus of science and production of N. Rosenberg and L. Beardzell and the concept of global economic history of R. Allen. Engineers of the 19th century used the technical inventions of the 18th century, originally created for one industry, in the widest areas. The introduction of new energy sources led to the appearance of by-products and the development of the corresponding branches of science and economics. The widespread use of technical innovations led to the development of transport infrastructure and a reliable communication system, which had a beneficial effect on the development of trade, labor migration and the supply of industry with raw materials. The introduction of technology required the attraction of large investments, which led to the creation of joint-stock companies and investment banks. This allowed the German Empire to eventually circumvent Great Britain with industrial production and foreign trade. The rapid development of the natural sciences and the introduction of technology in production were caused by the success of polytechnic education in Germany. On the one hand, the key engineering and technical personnel of German companies had a higher education, and on the other hand, university research workers themselves made discoveries that would increase production efficiency and create new products.