Georgian
Events
News of events, political plotting and the planning of crimes all took place in the new coffee houses which sprang up all over London in late Stuart and Georgian times.
They sold the two new drinks of coffee and chocolate. The first broadsheet newspapers were read here, and some had foreign newsheets too. The government often had spies in coffee houses to pick up early signs of trouble!
Merchants also did business in these places. Mr Lloyd's coffee house was near the docks. It was a favourite of merchants connected with shipping. Eventually it became Lloyds of London, the big insurance organisation.
Who were the customers at these coffee houses?
Click the picture for an answer.
In November 1783, in Paris, the first manned balloon took off. A teacher and an army officer were on board. They were the first men in history to leave the earth's surface for any length of time and survive. A momentous event!
The Montgolfiers' invention attracted huge interest and balloon ascents became excitng spectacles, not to be missed!
Military commanders also appreciated their value - hot air could act as observation platforms to watch distant troops.
How does this first hot air balloon differ from later ones?
The hot air balloon was designed by the Montgolfier brothers, sons of wealthy paper manufacturers. It consisted of a paper lined cloth bag and was 30 metres in diameter.