The most famous of all Josiah Wedgwood's innovations, however was this Jasperware, the triumphant outcome of several thousand recorded experiments. This was unglazed vitreous fine stoneware, which could be stained blue, green, lilac, yellow or black to provide a suitable background for white classic-inspired reliefs or portraits. To this day, Japer ware is still recognized around the world as the Wedgwood signature collection.

Josiah Wedgwood died in 1795, a triumphant success. A great social and environmental reformer, he built for his potters a complete village. Etruria. With good housing and a modern factory. He also actively supported the building of the Trent and Mersey Canal to transport his fragile and valuable cargoes faster, more smoothly and at less expense. He created fresh, original designs, many still produced today, and revolutionised the way in which they were made.

The Wedgwood name and heritage lives on. In the 1930s, the fifth Josiah Wedgwood purchased 382 acres in Barleston and a built a new, expansive, modern all-electric Wedgwood factory. Progress and production methods at Barlaston have been matched by far-sighted management and a vigorous design policy. The factory has expanded to four times its original size and has become a showpiece of British industry.
 

In 1986, the Wedgwood group became and division of Waterford Wedgwood plc, whose products have garnered eleven Queen's Awards to industry for export achievement. Waterford Wedgwood is now the largest tabletop manufacturer worldwide.