I'd hazard that it was the lack of a printing press and cheap paper. Why? Because that resulted in mass literacy and dissemination of knowledge, meaning a lot of people can be involved in finding solutions.
I like this line of thought. It's almost like the printing press allowed ideas to be tested at scale unlike any other time in history!
I've idly thought now and then what would I do if I was magically transported back into Roman times? Printing press and paper. Both can be constructed from what Romans had readily available.
Which is why my foss metaverse is gonna rock!!
> I'd hazard that it was the lack of a printing press and cheap paper
Britain wasn't unique in this respect.
The printing press was invented in Europe in 1440, before the industrial revolution. It quickly spread all through Europe.
Right. If the printing press were the critical variable, we'd expect to see broader progress towards the Industrial Revolution outside Britain. We don't. That implies something specifically special about Britain.