Don't miss a thing by getting the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Before the skyscrapers, Manchester's skyline was dominated by chimneys.
Hundreds of them, pumping out sooty, noxious coal smoke that left the air filthy and dangerous for the city's residents. This was a city built in the image of industry, where engineering breakthroughs came thick and fast and every available resource was put toward making things. READ MORE: Extraordinary "zombie" dance shuts down Deansgate for Manchester International Festival opening event Access to coal was crucial, the fuel that powered the many steam-engines of the cotton mills.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk