The correct answer is the first one: Great Britain tried to keep English inventions and methods to itself.
The process of the Industrial Revolution started in Britain in the 18th century, and from 1760 to 1830 it remained confined to Britain. Because they knew they had an important headstart they forbade the export of machinery, skilled workers, and manufacturing techniques. But the truth is they didn't succeed. Industrialization spread from Britain to other European countries. France and Belgium followed Britain and began industrialization but remained behind Britain.
Other Europeans countries didn't have enough wealth, power, or opportunities as the mentioned countries. A perfect example of this is Germany, who despite having vast resources of coal and iron, couldn't achieve industrial expansion until 1870 after the German nation finally unified. By the turn of the century, Germany was outproducing Britain in steel and was the world leader in the chemical industries.
