Originally published in 1889, this is a comprehensively detailed study of the iron work and tool making industries and the men who led them, written by the acknowledged master of industrial biography. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include: Iron and Civilization Beginnings of the Iron-Manufacture in Britain Iron Smelting By Pit-Coal, Dud Dudley Andrew Yarranton Coalbrookdale Iron Works, The Darbys and Reynoldses Invention of Cast Steel, Benjamin Huntsman The Inventions of Henry Cort The Scotch Iron Manufacture, Dr. Roebuck, David Mushet Invention of the Hot Blast, James Beaumont Neilson Mechnical Inventions and Inventors Joseph Bramah Henry Maudslay Joseph Clement Fox of Derby, Murray of Leeds, Roberts and Whitworth of Manchester James Nasmyth William Fairbairn Weapons and Implements of Copper, Bronze and Iron Smelting of Iron by Coke Invention of the Slide-Rest Mr. Babbage''s Calculating Machine