The beginning

Birmingham’s fascinating history goes back as far as 10,500 years ago, when a Stone Age settlement was formed in the Digbeth area.  The Romans also left their mark on the city’s landscape, with a major fort near Harborne and many roads that cross the area.

In July 2009 incredible Anglo-Saxon artefacts were unearthed in the Birmingham region. The 3,500 pieces of gold and silver items date back to the 7th century Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and amount to the most valuable treasure hoard ever discovered in the UK.

A selection of this now  famous Staffordshire Hoard is currently displayed in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Birmingham’s early history as a city dates back to the early 12th century when Peter de Birmingham, holder of the manor, gained the right to hold a weekly market. The market flourished and Peter de Birmingham laid the foundations for Birmingham as a market town.

The central heart of Birmingham’s geographical expansion was St Martin’s church, one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings. The original building was founded by de Birmingham family circa 1290, but demolished later except the tower. During the last centuries however the church was renovated and refurbished.

Today, St Martin’s church contains a of number of historical treasures and offers an enlightening perspective on the city’s exciting history.

In the 16th and 17th century  Birmingham was transformed from a farming to an industrial centre and farm-related trade developed into more blade-making industries such as cutlery, weapons and ultimately guns.  During the Napoleonic wars 1803-1815, for instance,  Birmingham’s gun-making manufacturers supplied 1,743,382 guns to the Board of Ordnance, which was more than double the number elsewhere in England during this period.

Birmingham or Brummagem? Find out more about the name of the city.

  'City of a Thousand Trades'

The city became the main European producer of buckles, buttons and a range of small boxes, jewellery and accessories often titled “Brummagen toys” these are commonly referred to as the ‘Toy Industry’, this was dominated by the manufacturer John Taylor and Matthew Boulton (see top image). Matthew Boulton together with James Watt and Erasmus Darwin were co-founders of the Lunar Society which gained worldwide recognition for innovative, pioneering ideas in science, arts, philosophy and commerce.  The Lunar Society met during the full moon at Soho House which is today converted into a museum and open to visitors from April to October.

Birmingham gained a worldwide reputation for its high diversification of manufacturing businesses and trade as a ‘City of a Thousand Trades’ and as the ‘Toyshop of Europe ‘.  Furthermore Birmingham became known as a leading model for ‘municipal socialism” in Britain guided by Joseph Chamberlain.

During the mid 19th century Birmingham gained a world reputation for a number of patents and the production of medals such as the Birmingham Mint and pens. 75% of everything written in the world was written with a ‘Birmingham’ pen. Original machines, pens and collections are exhibited at the fantastic Pen Room Museum in the historic Jewellery Quarter with its award winning Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. The construction of the Back to Back houses was a response to the rapidly increasing population between 1841 and 1851.

At the end of the 19th century chocolate maker George Cadbury opened his chocolate factory and founded the Bournville village for the factory workers. Visitors can find out more about Cadbury's history at Cadbury World.

Post-war boom

At the beginning of the 20th century Birmingham adapted the new way of life as electrical engineering and car manufacturers became the dominant industries in the city.  Some of the great old vehicles and machines are displayed at the Motor Heritage Centre, Coventry Transport Museum, ThinkTank Birmingham Science Museum and the Museum Collections Centre. The First and Second World War resulted in the increased production of munitions in the West Midlands, particularly in Birmingham and Coventry. The ‘Post-war boom’ in the 1950's caused a growth of employment in the engineering and motor vehicle industry in the West Midlands.

Today

The industrial decline in the 1970's had a significant impact on Birmingham’s economy.  Over the last 30 years however, the city’s focus has shifted from being predominantly a manufacturing industry to a service economy.  Former industrial properties such as the Custard Factory have been transformed into some of Birmingham's most exciting art and nightlife venues. Birmingham has experienced a healthy level of economic growth over the last two decades, benefiting from being the regional capital and centre for employment and commerce. The growth in the service sector over the last 15 years has supported the growth in economic output per head in the city between 1995 and 2007.