Before Class, Chapter 9

It's said that the Industrial Revolution first occurred in England between 1760-1840. The author believes the revolution is much more than the simple dates though, he says the revolution was a major social and economic process of change. In typography, the English alphabet became more than just letters to represent sounds; it became actual solid forms for advertising and such. The letters had to stand out more to catch people's attention and so it did in the Industrial Revolution.It's said William Caslon (from chapter 8) is the grandfather of the industrial revolution since his two heirs, Joseph Jackson and Thomas Cotterell became great type designers.
As type grew bolder the fat typefaces became huge. When Joseph Jackson died his apprentice, Vincent Figgins, tried to take over but failed when William Caslon III outbid him. (That Caslon family keeps coming back >.<). Figgins, however, didn't give up and started his own type business which was very successful. By 1815 he created a full range of modern, antiques and jobbing faces including some 3 dimensional types. He even started the Tsucan style letters.
When Caslon IV made his appearance as a type designer, he started the sans-serif in 1816.