Salford's `Manchester' Ship Canal and steam hammer inventor James Naysmyth have made it into a special edition set of Modern History Greats Top Trumps cards featuring the people and places that made the Industrial Revolution happen in the North West.
The Ship Canal, `born in 1887', gets a Genius Rating of 80 on its card for being the longest canal in the world on completion. And James Naysmth, who had his factory in Patricroft, gets a Genius Rating of 82 for inventing the steam hammer, `one of the integral contributions to the Industrial Revolution in Europe'.
Unfortunately our Salford mate, Fred Engels, who championed better conditions for the working class during the Industrial Revolution and pioneered real revolutions (see here), doesn't make the set for some reason…We'd give him a Genius Rating of 80 zillion!
Blue Peter's Barney Harwood is launching the Top Trumps set at the People's History Museum on Wednesday 1st June and any children aged 7-11 are invited along to meet Barney, and check out the pack which is promoting the region's industrial legacy. The first 36 kids to register on the day will also get to play in a Top Trumps tournament which Barney will be hosting.
"The industrial revolution was a time of noise, fire, explosions, adventure and innovation – exciting stuff that the brilliant museums and attractions in the North West really bring to life" says Barney "There's just so much history up here to find out about, and it's great that kids can see not only what life was like back then but also how it affects the way we still live today."
"This tournament is a great place to start learning more and have some fun" he adds "I can't wait to meet our winner and maybe even play a few games myself!"
Meanwhile, the Salford Star would like to recommend the manufacture of a special Destroying Salford set of Top Trumps. It could feature Peel Holdings and its destruction of the green belt in the city (Genius Rating minus 82000)… the designers of Salford Precinct (Genius Rating minus 80000)… and, of course Salford City Council itself for destroying stuff like the old Mining Museum, Salford Mission and a trillion terrace streets (Genius Rating minus 300,000). More suggestions in the comments box please!
Modern History Greats Top Trumps Tournament
People's History Museum, Left Bank
Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER
0161 838 9190
Wed 1st June 11am-1pm
Registration from 10am
For more information about the tournament see www.modernhistory.co.uk
Families that aren't able to make the Tournament can still claim their free pack of Modern History Greats Top Trumps cards by downloading a Modern History Discovery Pass and having it stamped at three of the 100 plus participating venues across the North West – see also www.modernhistory.co.uk .
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