In the late 17th century a glass industry and a shipbuilding industry prospered in Bristol. This was largely due to the money which was gained from the Transatlantic trade triangle. Bristol merchants would leave port and head to Africa. Here manufactured goods like cloth and glassware were traded for slaves. The slaves were then taken to North America where they were exchanged for goods like tobacco, coffee, rice and rum. These were bought back to Britain and the triangle is complete. This made the city wealthy enough to be successful in a number of industries. The glass blowing industry was introduced around 1647 and took off from there. It began with good quality cobalt which was imported from Saxony of course via Bristols' busy port. The cobalt was used primarily to make medicine bottles. The colour blue was highly associated with wealth and riches and blue glass items soon became trophy items held by Bristol merchants who travelled over seas. It showed off their wealth and importance. As coloured glass grew popular, the industry boomed making 'Bristol blue glass' for ornamental use. It is said that over 60 glass houses set up in Bristol became responsible for over 50% of the bottles and window glass used in Britain. Eventually lead crystal was added with cobalt which produced an even better finished blue glass. Bristol manufactured an even rarer type of glass, made with lots of lead and a small amount of tin. The end product was like porcelain, very heavy due to the lead, and very brittle. During the mid 1800's, cranberry glass was manufactured in Britain. The rose tint was created by adding 14 carat gold. Much glass was exported to the North Americas, the new found land. Not all Bristol Blue glass was produced in Bristol, and the industry started to decline, in the early 20th Century. It is thought to have been down to the supplies from Saxony being cut off, due to the Napoleonic wars. Few original pieces do exist though, with names like Lazarus and Jacobs being originals. Such pieces are extremely valuable and collectable.

Another extremely successful industry in Bristol was tobacco, one of its oldest imports. W.D and H.O Wills undoubtedly spring to mind. The tobacco factory in Ashton (still standing) is a reminder of old times but is now a popular bar and also houses stage productions. Before being situated here Will's had factories in Mary Le-Port street and Redcliffe street. The firm changed partnerships regularly and struggled at times. But the family always kept a grip on the business and the two inherent brothers W.D and H.O made their fortunes.

Alongside tobacco, Messers J.S. Fry's was producing another luxury consumer product, chocolate. Again one of the earliest imports had been transformed and the demand grew higher and the production increased. And although during the war it was called upon all industries of consumer items to reduce production and ration products, tobacco and chocolate were apparently exceptions.

The printing industry grew up alongside these other two industries with the first printing being carried out on a mobile press in Bristol in 1643. It wasn't until two years later that a permanent press was set up. And Bristol has moved from only producing coarse cheap paper, to being a competitor and leader in producing top quality paper, even today.

All these industries relied on imports from the port but even though some produce was exported abroad, much internal trade in Britain was done via railway. Bristol has been so successful probably because it was not just renowned for one thing. As these industries occurred side by side so if one dipped, another flourished and so on, making sure Bristol always kept its head above water.