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The British Parliament passes the Navigation Acts, designed to give preference to English merchant ships over the Dutch.

David Ramsay receives a patent from the British government for a pump that is driven by heated water that is converted into steam.

Jethro Tull is born. Tull is credited with developing the first seed drill.

English philosopher John Locke writes that governments derive their power from the people.

Thomas Newcomen builds his first steam engine in England.

James Hargreaves invents a new version of the traditional spinning machine.

The first iron rails are introduced in England by Richard Reynolds.

Adam Smith's An Inquiry into the...