Die Kölnische Maschinenbau-Actien-Gesellschaft und der frühe Eisenbau im Rheinland

The Cologne Machine Building Joint-stock Company and early construction in iron on the Rhine.

Soon after the middle of the 19th century, also at Cologne first mayor constructions in iron were erected. Historically, they stand at the turn from cast to wrought iron: the latter of which made possible an absolutely new, scientifically based structural building practice. At Cologne, British, French and German influences meet and melt. Leading architects of the time like Zwirner and Stueler, but also engineers of the railway companies and waterways administration get interested in iron as a building material, especially for bridges. A leading role on the Rhine at that time played the Cologne Machine Building Company (later known as BAMAG) at Bayenthal near Cologne, founded by the region's most important industrialist, Gustav Mevissen, and today almost forgotten. The company is active in bridgebuilding for the rapidly expanding railway systems, but also the production of engines and gas works equipment.
The study opens new perspectives on the development of industry and construction in Cologne and the Prussian Rhine province. The first iron constructions like the Flora glasshouse, parts of the first central railway station and Cologne cathedral roof and transept spire, as well as the first larger railway bridges of the region shed a new light on its time as regional pioneer achievements.