This volume contains a selection of papers which were presented at the Fe09 Conference in June 2009. The conference was held as part of the 'Coalbrookdale 300' celebrations (Shropshire, England), commemorating the tercentenary of Abraham Darby's success with coke-smelted iron. This momentous event was a truly world-changing moment in human history; and its origins, consequences and wider impacts were the subject of debate and discussion throughout the conference.Foreword by Sir Neil Cossons