"The Commercial Gas Company set up its principal works in Stepney in the late 1830s and generated coal gas until the mid 20th century. As London expanded, the Stepney Works was transformed from a tiny site in rural surroundings into a massive industrial complex packed with buildings, including in 1864 the world's third largest gasholder. This book combines detailed recording of the surviving structures - the first such undertaken on a gasworks site - with analysis of previously unpublished reports, directors' minutes and other documentary evidence, so restoring the Commercial Gas Company to its rightful place in the turbulent history of London's gas industry."--Publisher's description.