Improvement Collection

The Gullet, Stafford Street, Birmingham
Under the Artisans and Labourers dwellings Improvement Act, 1875, slum areas like the gullet were cleared and improved. Date: 16 December 1876

Hand dropping note in suggestion box

Athlete physiology, artwork
Athlete physiology. Computer artwork of a male athlete, with enlargements to show the important physiological enhancements typical of most athletes

Improved Short horn cow 1841

The benefits of taking the water at Bad Wildungen, Germany
Comic illustration of the wonderful benefits to a ladys urinary tract (!) having taken the water at Bad Wildungen - a German therapeutic spa Town with springs that bring forth water containing iron

James Watt, caricature C015 / 6706
James Watt (1736-1819). Caricature of the Scottish engineer and inventor James Watt. Watt made numerous practical improvements to the steam engine of his day

Wind turbines on Bodmin Moor, near Bodmin, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Join the red forces to get a better life, 1921. Artist: Vladimir Mayakovsky
Join the red forces to get a better life, 1921

Rectification Device
Antique illustration of a DesireSavalles device for rectifying alcohol

Alarm Buoy, 1858
Engraving showing an alarm, or marker, buoy designed by Brown, Lenox and Company of Millwall, 1858. This buoy featured a water-wheel in its centre which, through the motion of the water

Sketch map of proposed improvements, Birmingham
Sketch map of a locality around Stafford Street in Birmingham with the proposed new street running through it. The boundary of the unhealthy area referred to in the Birmingham Improvement Scheme as

Digital illustration showing different areas of wooden floor, and insets of sander and attachment

Two manual workers on ladders painting house exterior, (B&W)

Electricity Ramsden
Jesse Ramsden of London demonstrates his improvement on Guerickes electric machine, replacing the sphere by a rotating disc

Dishley (New Leicester) sheep. Breed result of selective breeding programme by Robert Bakewell (1725-95)
531758 Dishley (New Leicester) sheep. Breed result of selective breeding programme by Robert Bakewell (1725-95) on his farm at Dishley, Leicestershire, England

Captain Alexander Schomberg's improved rigging design, 1850
3331144 Captain Alexander Schomberg's improved rigging design, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Captain Alexander Schomberg's improved rigging design)

New Leicester (Dishley) ram. This breed of sheep created through selective breeding by Robert Bakewell (1725-1795)
531783 New Leicester (Dishley) ram. This breed of sheep created through selective breeding by Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) on his farm at Dishley, Leicestershire

Lewis Gompertz's (1783/4-1861) improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle
530685 Lewis Gompertz's (1783/4-1861) improvement on Baron von Drais's bicycle, powered by a rack-and-pinion on the front wheel. Wood engraving c1880. ; Universal History Archive/UIG.

John Sutherland (left) and Robert Rawlinson
865049 John Sutherland (left) and Robert Rawlinson; (add.info.: In the Crimea'. John Sutherland (1808-1891) British physician and sanitary reformer, left

Construction site at docks. 19th century (engraving)
672860 Construction site at docks. 19th century (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871: French prisonser of war camp at Wahn, near Cologne, 1870 (engraving)
538450 Franco-Prussian War 1870-1871: French prisonser of war camp at Wahn, near Cologne, 1870 (engraving); (add.info.: The correspondent remarks on the improvement of conditions for prisoners since)

Farmers discussing Dishley (New Leicester) sheep. Breed result of selective breeding programme carried out by Robert
531781 Farmers discussing Dishley (New Leicester) sheep. Breed result of selective breeding programme carried out by Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) on farm at Dishley, Leicestershire

The improved windlass with brakes and controls
3740614 The improved windlass with brakes and controls; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the improved windlass with brakes and controls, designed for steam ploughing by J. Fowler)

Cape Cod women picking and sorting Cranberries, one of the most important products of the area
530452 Cape Cod women picking and sorting Cranberries, one of the most important products of the area. Wood engraving from 'Harper's Monthly', New York

Carding engine, 1845
3479127 Carding engine, 1845; (add.info.: Carding engine incorporating an early improvement which brought off carded cotton in a continuous sliver)

Cyrus McCormick's reaper and binder, an improvement on the model patented in 1831 which was a reaper only
530769 Cyrus McCormick's reaper and binder, an improvement on the model patented in 1831 which was a reaper only. Wood engraving 1877.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Lime Kilns: burning limestone to produce lime for cement and mortar, and for agricultural use. Wood engraving 1872
535996 Lime Kilns: burning limestone to produce lime for cement and mortar, and for agricultural use. Wood engraving 1872; Universal History Archive/UIG.

Limekilns of Clifton near Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1798 (aquatint)
541856 Limekilns of Clifton near Bristol, Gloucestershire. 1798 (aquatint); (add.info.: In the 18th century lime became important for applying to land as a soil improver)

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) source of Digitalis, used from Medieval times as emetic and purgative
539165 Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) source of Digitalis, used from Medieval times as emetic and purgative. 19th century (lithograph); (add.info)

Longhorn cattle owned by Sir John Harpur-Crewe, Calke Abbey. Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) of Dishley, Leicestershire
531780 Longhorn cattle owned by Sir John Harpur-Crewe, Calke Abbey. Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) of Dishley, Leicestershire, improved the breed. Dual purpose, beef and dairy

Dishley (New Leicester) Ram. This breed of sheep was the result of selective breeding programme by Robert Bakewell
531724 Dishley (New Leicester) Ram. This breed of sheep was the result of selective breeding programme by Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) on his farm at Dishley, Leicestershire, England

The Interior of St. Paul's Cathedral, showing the improvements recently made, with the new... 1860
The Interior of St. Paul's Cathedral, showing the improvements recently made, with the new eastern transept in the foreground, 1860

Old House in Fetter-Lane, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Old House in Fetter-Lane, [London], 1858. Sketch of...a characteristic example of the substantial brick buildings erected, some in the reign of Charles I

Poster by Record Section, Suburban Resettlement Administration, 1935-12. Creator: Arthur Rothstein
Poster by Record Section, Suburban Resettlement Administration, 1935-12

The Improvement of Morals, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
The Improvement of Morals, 1786

Hallett's pedigree nursery wheat, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Hallett's pedigree nursery wheat, 1862. The original ear, A, was selected in 1857 from a large crop of "nursery" wheat, not because of its great size

The proposed road through Hyde Park to the International Exhibition, 1862. Creator: Unknown
The proposed road through Hyde Park to the International Exhibition, [London], 1862. The vexed question of the approaches to the Exhibition building still seems to be far from a satisfactory

Woman Housewife Washing Dishes (1970 1970s) Dishwasher Kitchen Retro
UNITED STATES - Circa 1960s: Woman Housewife Washing Dishes (1970 1970s) Dishwasher Kitchen Retro

Advert, Binyon's Elastic Chest Expander - avoid stooping of the shoulders and contraction of the chest. Date: 1848

Dunfermline St. Catherine's Wynd & Graveyard
The top photograph shows a view from the north side of the old Abbey in Dunfermline, Scotland, over the churchyard, with old cottages of St. Catherine's Wynd on the left

Lovers Loan Footpath Proposal
A pair of photographs which show a proposed improvement to a narrow footpath at Lovers Loan, Scotland. The bottom image highlights these improvements with retouching

Cover design, Do it yourself, September 1967 - build a pool with a paint brush Date: 1967

Cover design, Do it yourself, September 1964 - free ticket for exhibition at Olympia Date: 1964

Cover design, Do it yourself, October 1966 - extra parking off the road Date: 1966

Cover design, Do it yourself, October 1967 - DIY furniture for smaller rooms Date: 1967

Cover design, Do it yourself, November 1966 - a new kitchen for Xmas Date: 1966

Cover design, Do it yourself, November 1967 - do it herself, colour extra Date: 1967

Cover design, Do it yourself, May 1966 - do it herself, a practical guide for the woman about the house Date: 1966

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unleashing the Power of Improvement: From The Gullet to Stafford Street, Birmingham" In a bustling city like Birmingham, improvement is an ever-present force that drives progress. It starts with small gestures, like a hand dropping a note into the suggestion box at The Gullet, sparking ideas for change and growth. But improvement doesn't stop there; it extends beyond mere suggestions. Athlete physiology and artwork intertwine as individuals strive to enhance their physical abilities and express themselves creatively. Just as an improved Short horn cow emerged in 1841 through careful breeding techniques, humans too seek ways to better themselves. Sometimes improvement lies in unexpected places - take Bad Wildungen in Germany, where taking the water has been proven to have numerous health benefits. Whether it's physical or mental well-being, we are constantly seeking ways to improve ourselves. Back in Birmingham, a sketch map of proposed improvements serves as a blueprint for progress. With each stroke of the pen, new possibilities arise - from infrastructure enhancements to community development projects and are be found within our own homes. Using tools like wallpaper steam strippers and scrapers allows us to transform our living spaces effortlessly. Even mundane tasks become opportunities for growth and refinement. Technological advancements play their part too; enter the rectification device developed by James Watt himself. This invention revolutionized industries and paved the way for further improvements across various sectors. As we venture outside urban landscapes, wind turbines on Bodmin Moor stand tall against the horizon - symbols of sustainable energy solutions that continuously push us towards environmental improvement. History reminds us that collective efforts yield remarkable results too; join forces just like Vladimir Mayakovsky urged in his powerful artwork from 1921 "Join the red forces to get a better life. " Together we can achieve greater heights than ever before. And finally, even seemingly simple things like wooden floors hold potential for enhancement.