Birmingham is famously reputed to have more miles of canals than Venice. These canals contributed much to the city's growth, bringing coal and merchandise from the surrounding areas. As the city prospered economically, it continued to grow and absorb neighbouring communities, a process in many ways bound together by the waterways. Although part of the national network, Birmingham's canals, including the Worcester & Birmingham, the Stratford-upon-Avon...

Researches Birmingham's industries - primarily the manufacture of components, paints and varnish, plastics, toys, aircraft components, and the food industry. This book interweaves company history and product development with descriptions of technical processes, as well as including site visits. It is also illustrated with a wide range of pictures.