Essen
a town of Rhenish Prussia, 18 miles N. E. of Düsseldorf, founded in the 9th century, and adorned with a fine church dating from 873. It increased with great rapidity, and is celebrated for the steel and iron works of the Krupps, the most extensive in Europe. This great establishment was started in 1827, with only two workmen.
During the World War Essen was one of the most important of the German cities.
At the Krupp works were produced vast quantities of armament and munitions.
Attempts, some very successful, were made by Allied aviators to damage and destroy the works. Following peace, the works were devoted to the manufacture of various steel products. In the suburbs are the "colonies" - cottages, churches, schools, stores, libraries, places of amusement, homes for the superannuated and disabled workmen, etc., established by the Krupps for their workmen. Pop. about 400,000.