The area called the Black Country in England's West Midlands got its name in the mid-19th century primarily because of the intense industrial activity there. During the Industrial Revolution, the region became heavily industrialized with coal mines, coking, iron foundries, glassworks, brickworks, and steel mills. The extensive production of coal and iron caused heavy smoke, soot, and pollution, blackening the soil, buildings, and atmosphere. This soot and smog gave the area its name, reflecting the darkened landscape from the coal seam near the surface and the widespread air pollution. The phrase "black by day and red by night" was also used to describe the area due to the combination of smoke during the day and glowing red forges at night. The Black Country mainly includes the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, distinguished from nearby Birmingham. The name was first recorded in the 1840s and became widely used following descriptions by writers and travelers of the time who noted its stark industrial character and darkened environment.