How did Abraham Darby contribute to the industrial revolution?

Abraham Darby played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution by developing the process of smelting iron using coke instead of charcoal, which significantly increased iron production efficiency and lowered costs. His innovations in iron manufacturing, particularly at his Coalbrookdale foundry, enabled the mass production of iron goods, fostering advancements in construction and machinery. This breakthrough not only helped establish iron as a primary material for various industries but also laid the groundwork for subsequent technological developments during the Industrial Revolution.