Final answer:
The Catalan forge was one of the first furnaces to use bituminous coal to make iron, which played a crucial role in reducing production costs and boosting availability during the Industrial Revolution. correct answer is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the first furnaces to use bituminous coal for the production of iron was the Catalan forge. This method of iron making dates back to the 8th century in Spain and was significant during the Industrial Revolution for utilizing bituminous coal, which had a high sulfur content.
The introduction of coal in iron production dramatically lowered costs and increased availability, marking a pivotal shift towards the extensive use of fossil fuels in the industry.The Catalan forge was one of the first furnaces to use bituminous coal to make iron, which played a crucial role in reducing production costs and boosting availability during the Industrial Revolution.