How would you compare British and German industry between 1910 and 1940?
From what I have read, I conclude that:
Overall, Germany was far stronger in most engineering industries, as well as most Second Industrial Revolution industries (new industries).
- This is especially the case for high-tech sectors, such as chemical (NO CONTEST), pharmaceutical and electrical and electronic goods, as well as precision industries optical and scientific instruments. German firms (and American) dominated British electrical industry.
- The German also outperformed British in metallurgy, steel and modern machinery (or 2nd Industrial Revolution machinery) production. German steel and metal industry also adopted better techniques.
- Germany was ahead in electrification in factories and lighting, especially FAR AHEAD before world war 1. Reading about the electrification of London before 1914 made me laugh.
- Germany also outperform in things like cypher machine, typewriter or calculator... (office machinery)
Britain, on the other hand, performed better in low-tech, First Industrial Revolution sectors.
- In heavy industries, British was stronger in shipbuilding and general marine engineering industries, textile machinery, all of them were First Industrial Revolutions sectors that dated from Victorian Era.
- About this, I am not sure, but before the First World War, British factories stuck with steam-powered machinery while firms in other industrial countries like US, Germany or Sweden have move on to electric power.
- Britain also did better in light and consumer good industries like clothing, textile, footwear, food and beverage but these sectors did nothing to improve their national security and power.
- Rayon, aircraft and motor car industries were the only ''new'' industries that British did better than German, although German aircraft sector surged ahead in 1935-1939 thanks to Nazi rearmament orders. Of course before world war 1, motor car sector was negligible in both countries.
Other sectors like glass, explosives, construction materials, I have no information but I guess that Germany outperformed Britain.
In organisation, German firms were better. They was able to form large corporates that capable of carrying out large-scale investments and R&D and taking advantage of economies of scale. British industry was still dominated by small family businesses (This is a thing of Victorian Dark Age).
In technical eduction, Germany before Nazi, no contest. Most sources, except for Edgerton, noted that British society at that time was too anti-tech, anti-science.
These are quite British bashing but they are true