Editing Stoke-on-Trent (section)

==== Pottery ====
[[File:Restored bottle kilns, Stoke-on-Trent - geograph.org.uk - 1578523.jpg|thumb|left|Restored bottle kilns, Stoke-on-Trent]]
[[File:Dudson Ware.jpg|thumb|''Colorado Bouillons Regina'' and teapots, vitrified tableware by Dudson Brothers Ltd.]]
[[File:Porcelain teapot, Walker Art Gallery (1).jpg|thumb|Porcelain teapot by Henry and Richard Daniel, 1830]]
Since the 17th century, the area has been almost exclusively known for its industrial-scale pottery manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepotteries.org/sot/five.htm|title=all about Stoke-on-Trent in 5 minutes...|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915190319/http://www.thepotteries.org/sot/five.htm|archive-date=15 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Companies such as [[Royal Doulton]], [[Dudson]], [[Spode]] (founded by [[Josiah Spode]]), [[Wedgwood]] (founded by [[Josiah Wedgwood]]), [[Mintons|Minton]] (founded by [[Thomas Minton]]) and Baker & Co. (founded by William Baker) were established and based there. The local abundance of coal and clay suitable for earthenware production led to the early (initially limited) development of the local pottery industry. The construction of the [[Trent and Mersey Canal]] (completed in 1777) enabled the import of [[Kaolinite|china clay]] from [[Cornwall]] together with other materials and facilitated the production of [[creamware]] and [[bone china]].

Other production centres in Britain, Europe and worldwide had a considerable lead in the production of high-quality wares. Methodical and highly detailed research and experimentation, carried out over many years, nurtured the development of artistic talent throughout the local community and raised the profile of [[Staffordshire Potteries]]. This was spearheaded by one man, [[Josiah Wedgwood]], who cut the first sod for the canal in 1766 and erected his [[Etruria Works]] that year. 

Wedgwood built upon the successes of earlier local potters such as his mentor [[Thomas Whieldon]] and along with scientists and engineers, raised the pottery business to a new level. [[Josiah Spode]] introduced [[bone china]] at Trent in 1796, and [[Thomas Minton]] opened his manufactory. With the industry came a large number of notable 20th-century ceramic artists including [[Clarice Cliff]], [[Susie Cooper]], [[Charlotte Rhead]], [[Frederick Hurten Rhead]] and [[Jabez Vodrey]].