The historically neglected but unexpectedly remarkable Ebbw Valley, one of Wales's major coal-producing areas, is explored in this study. The valley?s substantial contributions to the genesis of the modern industrial world and to the understanding of industrial change are discussed. Innovative research, including the use of models from accountancy, marketing, and labor markets for interrogating and ordering data, reveals the elements that differentiate the Ebbw Valley from other industrial areas of Wales.