Boulton and Watt

Matthew Boulton is most well-known for his partnership with James Watt. Together they developed the steam engine for use with industrial machinery.

Handsworth was chosen as the location for the Soho Manufactory, one of the earliest factories in the world and the first to use an assembly line process.

The Archives of Soho holds documents from all elements of Boulton and Watt’s business as well as their individual endeavours and personal papers, such as diaries, letters and notebooks.