The iron and steel revolution

In the mid-18th century, the iron industry was small-scale and centred on the Weald in Sussex and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire – places where there were plenty of woodlands to provide the charcoal needed in the smelting process. But the charcoal was running out, and half of Britain’s iron had to be imported from Sweden and Russia. The steel industry, which used Benjamin Huntsman’s "crucible" process, was also small-scale and centred on Sheffield.

In the 18th century, there was a revolution in the production of iron, and in the 19th century, a revolution in the production of steel.

The growth of the iron and steel industry involved:

• Technological innovation.
• Large-scale production, centred on famous ironmasters.
• Changes in location - to South Wales, the Midlands and Scotland.
• Improvements in transport - canals and waterways.

Estimated figures of output were:

Iron and steel production 1700-1900