Firms and entrepreneurs in Oporto during the second half of the nineteenth century

Abstract

This article looks at the evolution of industry in Oporto during the second half of the nineteenth century. The study is based on an analysis of files, held in the archive of the Oporto Governo Civil, that are records of permits granting for setting up factories. In the first part of the article, the author describes some of the characteristics of Oporto's industries at that time. In particular, the following are analysed: its reduced financial strength; the difficulties of obtaining credit from banks; the structure of home-based work; the limited technological capacity; and its influence on urban development. For the period in question, the author also analyses: the locations of new factories, categorized by parishes (freguesias); and the development of the number of industrial units, categorized by activities. In the last part of the article, the author concludes that at that time in Oporto there were two kinds of growth within the industrial sector. One consisted of new, modern, industry. There was also a sub-sector made up of productive units that were home-based and authorized, and, furthermore, this sub-sector was expanding throughout the second half of the nineteenth century.