The Cyclops in the Vale: Mythological and Fantastic Representations of Industry

Industrial landscapes, particularly the Ironbridge Gorge in the Western Midlands, were perceived and represented through mythological and fantastical lenses during the late 18th century. Visitors and industrialists like Jabez Maude Fisher and Richard Reynolds framed these sites using classical mythology and natural history, blending awe with scientific observation. The study reveals how the rhetoric of industry seamlessly integrated with mythological narratives, reflecting both the grandeur of industrial progress and its darker, more chaotic aspects. This fusion was not limited to rhetoric but extended to scientific practice, as seen in Erasmus Darwin's writings, which combined technical descriptions with quasi-mythological imagery. The research approach involved analyzing contemporary accounts, letters, and industrial practices, highlighting the cultural and intellectual context of the period.

Egenolf, S. (2018). The Cyclops in the Vale: Mythological and Fantastic Representations of Industry. Studies in Eighteenth-Century Culture, 47(1), 53–70. https://doi.org/10.1353/sec.2018.0006