Reinforced concrete section from Woolston Quay, Southampton, Hennebique system, built 1899, the first use in England. Early development of reinforced concrete was largely in France. The system devised by Francois Hennebique (1842-1921) was introduced to Britain under licence by Louis Gustave Mouchel (1852-1908) in 1897 at William Weaver & Co Grain silos, Swansea. Mouchel now (as of 2003ish) a major construction company with a turnover of over £70 million. See also 1986-1478.