A Bridge, a Furnace and the Birth of the Fossil Fuel World

The picturesque gorge of the River Severn in Shropshire boasts two significant landmarks of the early industrial revolution. In the village of Coalbrookdale in 1709, Abraham Darby I successfully smelted iron using coal instead of charcoal - an act that made iron production cheaper, faster and less dependent on geography. This new iron was also stronger and revolutionised small changes already taking place throughout Britain: the process of industrialisation. In 1779, Darby's grandson was at the helm of the company when its boldest project yet was undertaken... the building of the world's first free-standing iron structure - the iron bridge. ======================================== Facebook: @BeeHereNowUK Instagram: @olliet_uk Support me on Patreon for added extras and exclusive content:   / beeherenow   If you like the video and want to show some support, how about buying me a brew. Thanks! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Beeherenow Subscribe for more world-changing Northern history.