Abraham Darby

Abraham Darby was an innovative 18th-century English engineer and ironmaster known for pioneering methods to produce cheaper, stronger iron. He introduced using coke—processed coal—instead of charcoal to smelt iron in large quantities, greatly reducing costs and enabling mass production. His advances contributed significantly to the Industrial Revolution by making iron more accessible, which in turn supported the development of machinery, bridges, and buildings. Darby's work marked a key turning point in industrial manufacturing and engineering, demonstrating how technological innovation can transform industries and economies.