From the beginning of the 18^th century, innovations occurred in the iron industry that started in England and which Archduke Johann brought to Styria. In 1815/16, he travelled to England, a journey that greatly impressed him. Johann’s interest was in industry, hence he wished primarily to study the technical advances made in Great Britain. For centuries iron had been Styria’s most important branch of industry, and due to Johann’s love of innovation and subtlety, it was possible to convince Styrians of the advantages found in this material. This exhibition shows iron both in the form we are familiar with, but also in unusual forms that bear witness to man’s skill in refining the materials of nature – from the simply scythe to a high-performance steel cable.

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