{"product_id":"the-canal-pioneers-canal-construction-from-2-500-bc-to-the-early-20th-century","title":"The Canal Pioneers: Canal Construction from 2,500 BC to the Early 20th Century","description":"This is the story of canals used for transport and the men who built them from the earliest times up to the end of the nineteenth century. The Grand Canal of China, begun in the sixth century BC, is one of the most imposing canal systems ever built. Development after the end of the Roman Empire was slow, but saw steady improvements in river navigation through locks; the mitre gates were actually first designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The modern age of canals that cross summits began in France, and the most famous of these early waterways was the Canal du Midi, completed in 1681. It was a visit to this canal that inspired the Duke of Bridgewater to build his famous canal, which in turn sparked a rush of canal construction in Britain. Britain’s canals became the essential transport route that helped power the Industrial Revolution, thanks to engineers such as James Brindley, William Jessop and Thomas Telford. It was a period of intensive construction that lasted about fifty years from 1760, with innovations from the use of cast iron for bridges and aqueducts to inclined planes and vertical lifts moving boats between canal levels. The nineteenth century also saw extensive canal systems developing in North America, such as the Erie Canal, and culminated in two great ship canals at Suez and Panama. This book tells the exciting story of canal development and the many men who made it possible.","brand":"Thryft Singapore","offers":[{"title":"Like New","offer_id":67603926515993,"sku":"X69138","price":13.9,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Very Good","offer_id":67603926548761,"sku":"X69138","price":11.9,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Good","offer_id":67603926581529,"sku":"X69138","price":10.9,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Well Read","offer_id":67603926614297,"sku":"X69138","price":9.9,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0110\/0598\/4849\/files\/31617205_fced06f7-3b09-4e5b-a83b-337d8a9e0c03.jpg?v=1790770344","url":"https:\/\/thryft.asia\/products\/the-canal-pioneers-canal-construction-from-2-500-bc-to-the-early-20th-century","provider":"Thryft","version":"1.0","type":"link"}