Multifactor productivity growth in the U.S. economy between 1919 and 1929 was almost entirely attributable to advance within manufacturing. Distributing steam power mechanically over shafts and belts required multistory buildings for economical operation. The widespread diffusion of electric...

In the last decade one of the most successful memes in economic history has been the concept of a general purpose technology. The rapid multiplication of technologies accorded this designation has raised questions about whether the concept has gotten out of hand. My intent in this essay is to...

Volume 21 of Research in Economic History is a substantial contribution in several respects. Its heft reflects the continuing increase in quality submissions to this series, which invites (although it does not require) authors to take advantage of less stringent space limitations than is...

In the tradition of the new economic history, this collection includes seven carefully researched papers blending systematic empirical research with consideration of broader theoretical and analytical issues

Exports and the economy of the lower south region, 1720-1770 / Peter C. Mancall, Joshua L. Rosenbloom, and Thomas Weiss -- Quarterly data on the categories and causes of bank distress during the Great Depression, 1929-1933 / Gary Richardson -- On English pygmies and giants : the physical stature...

Introduction / Alexander J. Field -- A Soviet quasi-market for inventions : jet propulsion, 1932-1946 / Mark Harrison -- Network quality in the early telegraph industry / Tomas Nonnenmacher -- The Spanish infrastructure stock, 18441935 / Alfonso Herranz-Lonc(c)Øan -- Have American workers...

Introduction / Alexander J. Field -- From foraging to farming : the so-called "neolithic revolution" / Frederic L. Pryor -- The growth of world agricultural production, 1800-1938 / Giovanni Federico -- The Great Depression as a credit boom gone wrong / Barry Eichengreen, Kris J. Mitchener -- The...

Introduction / Alexander J. Field -- Social-overhead construction in Italys regions, 1861-1913 / Carlo Ciccarelli Stefano Fenoaltea -- Bilateral trade flows in Europe, 1857-1875 : a new dataset / Markus Lampe -- Gender, health and welfare in England and Wales since industrialisation / Bernard...

Technological breakthroughs and productivity growth / Harald Edquist, Magnus Henrekson -- New national bank loan rate estimates, 1887-1975 / Scott A. Redenius -- The net effect of railroads on stature in the postbellum period / Ebru Guven Solakoglu -- Growth in a protected environment :...

Amongst other European and US focussed topics, Volume 27 addresses: the macroeconomic aggregates for England, 1209-2004; capital accumulation in Spain, 1850-2000; British Estate Acts, 1600 to 1830. Notably there is also a contribution from the late William Parker , who chapter discusses historical...