The Iron Bridge

The first bridge ever to be built of iron, in 1779, is perhaps the most important industrial monument in Britain. The bridge not only changed the pattern of communications in the area, it attracted thousands of sightseers, many from overseas; for no structure of its time so caught the public imagination. The authors produced the first edition to mark the bicentenary in 1979, explaining the conception, design and construction of the bridge, the technological background, the people involved, its effect and its social impact. However, in the two decades since then, so much new evidence has come to light that they have now produced a completely re-written new account. The story of the iron bridges built in the half century after 1781 has changed dramatically, and this book identifies nearly twice as many as the first edition.