Ironbridge in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire was the first cast iron bridge ever built.

Its revolutionary construction took place between 1777 and 1781. It pioneered new methods of building, combining traditional woodwork-style joints with modern iron nuts and bolts.

Casting the iron parts and building approach roads to the bridge took the most time. Actually putting the bridge together only took three months. Amazingly not a single worker was injured during its construction, unusual even today.

The bridge certainly boosted the local economy. Business, trade, traffic and visitors to the local area all increased. Raw materials came in and finished goods went out quicker and more cheaply. As a result, Coalbrookdale became a boomtown and the most industrially advanced place in the world.

What a shame that the builder of Ironbridge, Abraham Darby III, couldn’t join in the fun. Construction costs were double the estimated £3,200 and Abraham spent the rest of his life paying off the debt.