Josiah Spode (23 March 1733 - 1797) was an English potter. He earned renown in the pottery business for perfecting the transfer printing process in 1784 and developing fine bone china, also known as porcelain.
Spode was a former apprentice of potter Thomas Whieldon, but left when Whieldon took in Josiah Wedgwood as a business partner. In 1761 Spode created a factory in Shelton , followed by another in Stoke in 1764. He owned and ran a very successful business in creamware (a fine cream-coloured earthenware) and in pearlware (a fine white-glazed earthenware).
Josiah Spode had a son Josiah Spode II, who carried on the business.
