During the 19th century it became one of the first places in the world where geothermal energy was exploited to support industry. In 1827, François Jacques de Larderel, a Frenchman, invented a way of extracting boric acid from the mud by using steam to heat cauldrons to separate the two. Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany was an enthusiastic supporter of Larderel's scheme and awarded him the title of Count of Montecerboli a decade later. A town, named Larderello in honour of Larderel's work, was founded to house the workers in the boric acid production factory.