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Iron has a very long history of use in construction for small scale components.
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Technical developments in the iron industry towards the end of the 18th century led to more widespread use of iron as a structural material.
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The use of iron in bridge building saw some important developments.
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The structural use of iron in buildings occurred first in connection with industrial mills where it was seen to provide a fireproof form of construction.
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Greater technical knowledge, harnessed to the demands of an expanding industrial society, produced some of the most exciting buildings and structures that Britain has ever known.
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There was also considerable public and professional resistance to the widespread use of such new materials.
