Hi Chaps
Had a day out in Iron Bridge yes its a town:- named after the first bridge in the world built from Iron

What I found interesting was they way they joined the parts of the bridge together, they used the same methods as as if they were using wood:- Dove tail and mortice and tenon joints.

They didn't understand the properties of cast iron:- good in compression weak in tension, quite a few of the joints have failed and have been repaired with steel plates and bolts but the bridge is in good nick considering its 230 years old.
Derby was one of the first iron masters to use coke in the iron smelting process (coke made from roasting coal, not the sort you sniff up your nose or drink) he was known as "Iron Mad Derby" there wasn't many things that he wouldn't make from iron.
This is his dining table it weighs over a tone.

And his wardrobe the detail is fantastic.

He even had a coffin cast for himself made from iron.
He and his family made a fortune from making a selling things thats transformed the lives or people.
Pots pans and cooking stove

But his greatest contribution to the industrial age was the casting of the cylinders of some of the world first industrial steam engines.
As well as the bridge the museum have lots of old interesting bits of kit on display.
A foot operated forging hammer


Wheel turning lathe

Workshop driven by line shafting

How this for driving your power hacksaw

They even have a foundry and steam driven rolling mill

Chunks of cast iron, tried to slip some out in my pocket but got stopped at the gate, the fact that I could hardly walk under the weight must have given me away.

Enjoy
Stew