ABSTRACT
The mid-nineteenth century was a period when a series of changes took place in the construction industry, especially in that part of the industry concerned with the design and erection of iron structures. Apart from the introduction of new materials, and the need for new building types, there were influential changes that occurred in the way designers envisaged the scope of their work in this field which led to an increasing specialisation of activity and the proliferation of professional organisations intended to serve the interests of specific groups. In addition, alternative views were developing about the provision of education and training for designers and what should be offered to new entrants to the engineering design professions. Another major area of activity was the attempt to apply the principles of scientific investigation to explain the performance of structures and to develop theories that could be used as the basis for design.
