Newcastle upon Tyne has a long history which began with the building of the first Tyne bridge in about A.D. 122. The river has played a crucial part throughout Newcastle’s history, leading to prosperity from trade and shipbuilding. Coal gave the impetus to industrial development and great engineering achievements, which placed the city at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution. Robert Stephenson, Lord William Armstrong and Sir Charles Parsons are portrayed, together with the leading Newcastle radicals and reformers: Joseph Cowen, Dr John Rutherford and Robert Spence Watson.