Mining Engineering. Metallurgy.

Georgius Agricola authored what is considered the first book on physical geology, the first textbook on mineralogy, and one of the most comprehensive treatises on every aspect of metallurgy and mining ever published.	Gold Production Around the World Gold is mined on every continent on earth, except Antarctica. South Africa leads all nations in production.
Abraham Darby and the Bristol Iron Company of Coalbrooke, England Abraham Darby patented the process of making cast iron pots using molten metal poured into molds made from sand. He then established a company to make higher-quality iron, which in turn led to improvements in the making of wrought iron, and to the building of the world's first iron bridge.	Edwin Laurentine Drake brought in the first commercially successful oil well in 1859 and gave birth to the petroleum industry. Unfortunately for him, he never patented his drilling method and, therefore, never personally profited from the industry he created.