 Wrexham was also known for its leather industry; by the 18th century there were a number of skinners and tanners in the town.The Industrial Revolution began in Wrexham in 1762 when the entrepreneur John Wilkinson (1728–1808), known as "Iron Mad Wilkinson", opened Bersham Ironworks.Wilkinson's steam engines enabled a peak of production at Minera Lead Mines on the outskirts of Wrexham.