Alas, those were not efforts that turned into a sustained industrial development over a broad area ~ just advances in engineering applications.
The first extensive use of machinery was in the Low Countries during our Middle Ages. I have read there were more of them in the Netherlands than in all China at the time. They were a necessary part of the war against the sea. If we were as good at this game as the Dutch, Katrina would have not overwhelmed New Orleans or the Gulf Coast. Next time you are in the Netherlands, take a tour of them. As impressive in their way as the Great Wall of China.