Sheffield, the southwest Yorkshire city at the foothills of the Pennines, was one of the biggest manufacturers of steel in the world during the Victorian period. However, conditions in this industry had its share of problems. Environments like extreme heat and cramped conditions made working life tough. During the 1860s, it was common to be retired from work at 35 and dead at 40, due to various illnesses caused by work-related diseases, mainly silicosis.

Another incident also shaped the Steel City; one night in 1864, a newly manufactured dam burst, causing flooding in the area. People drowned and as a result, streets were widened and transport was extended into the suburbs. Horse-drawn trams were then replaced by electric versions to make life more convenient, as seen in this photo from 1900.

Incredible early images of the UK's biggest cities