Iron and Steel Industry in the Midlands (c.1760–1900)

1. Darby produces coke-smelted iron at Coalbrookdale

   Jan 10, 1709Labels: Abraham Darby, Coalbrookdale

   • Britannica
   • Darby I

2. Cranege brothers’ coal-fired refining patent at Coalbrookdale

   Jan 1, 1766Labels: Cranege brothers, Coalbrookdale

   • Reynolds

3. Cast-iron rails introduced for works transport

   Jan 1, 1767Labels: Richard Reynolds, Coalbrookdale

   • Reynolds

4. Wilkinson develops precision boring machine for cylinders

   Jan 1, 1775Labels: John Wilkinson, boring machine

   • Britannica
   • Wilkinson

5. Construction begins on the Iron Bridge

   Nov 1, 1777Labels: Iron Bridge, Ironbridge Gorge

   • EnglishHeritage
   • IronbridgeTrust

6. The Iron Bridge opens to traffic

   Jan 1, 1781Labels: Iron Bridge, Ironbridge

   • EnglishHeritage
   • IronBridgeWiki

7. Cort patents grooved rolling for iron bars

   Jan 1, 1783Labels: Henry Cort

   • Britannica

8. Cort patents the puddling process

   Jan 1, 1784Labels: Henry Cort

   • Britannica

9. Bessemer patents pneumatic steelmaking process

   Jan 1, 1856Labels: Henry Bessemer

   • Britannica
   • SteelBritannica

10. Round Oak Ironworks begins production at Brierley Hill

    Jan 1, 1857Labels: Round Oak, Brierley Hill

    • RoundOak

11. Martin brothers first produce steel by open-hearth process

    Jan 1, 1864Labels: Martin brothers, open-hearth

    • Britannica

12. Dowlais licenses and uses Bessemer process for steel

    Jan 1, 1865Labels: Dowlais Ironworks, South Wales

    • Dowlais

13. Gilchrist–Thomas basic Bessemer patent addresses phosphorus

    May 1, 1878Labels: Gilchrist Thomas, Thomas process

    • Britannica
    • BessemerWiki