To
stand in midsummer, on the oldest iron bridge in the world, as the
sun slips sleepily to bed, it is almost impossible to believe that
three centuries ago, one man, only a few feet from this idyllic spot,
made a discovery that would change the face of Western civilisation
forever. His name was Abraham Derby. He found that by using coke instead
of charcoal, he could cast his three legged cooking pots in iron instead
of brass, making them lighter. Unwittingly, he provided not only a
cost effective way for cannibals to casserole over zealous missionaries
but also started the Industrial Revolution.
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The Severn gorge might seem an unlikely spot for the birth
of the Industrial Revolution, but in reality it had all
the right ingredients. Abundant coal, limestone, iron-ore
and clay - providing a rich source of raw materials. And
privacy. The young Mr.Derby was able to experiment far away
from the prying eyes of his competitors. In the years that
followed his discoveries in 1709, the Severn gorge at Coalbrookdale,
boomed with trade and growth. |
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