Pollution and the march of progress

London going out of town - or - The march of bricks and mortar. George Cruikshank, 1829, Etching

Technological advancements and industrialisation caused marked effects on London's environment, in particular on atmospheric conditions and the appalling state of the Thames.

The city expanded at an enormous rate and the pollution increased as the edges of London grew outwards. Hand in hand with expansion and technological progress was social change and all Londoners felt the effects of progress, from dustmen to gentlemen of leisure.

       

Like many artists George Cruikshank was unhappy about the changes to London's landscape because of the Industrial Revolution. In this etching he depicts London growing at a phenomenal rate with relentless building and expansion into the surrounding countryside such as Hampstead Heath.