Upper Silesia was a stronghold of early industrialisation, for the local aristocratic landowners had enough capital at their disposal for investments. The State of Prussia also became involved. In silver mines tests were made to lift water with the help of steam engines, coal mining expanded and at the end of the 18th century the first coke-driven blast furnace was built in Gleiwitz. Puddling processes were also imported from England. Coal mining was given a boost in the region around Aachen and in Saarland, both of which were under French rule at the time. By contrast the area around the River Ruhr remained idyllically rural. A single solitary ironworks in the town of Wetter emitted its smoke like a dark portent of the coming era.