Iron has been used for about 4000 years, it was essential to the industrial revolution and is still the principal metal of commerce. For centuries ironmaking was a manual craft and only small quantities were made, but in the 15th century making iron on a larger scale became possible.
In the 18th and 19th centuries technology and the scale of production developed rapidly and new types of iron were introduced. One of these, steel, has largely superseded other forms.
This book describes how iron and steel have been made from earliest times to the 20th century.
Contents:
The various forms of iron
Origins and early processes
Cast iron
Problems with fuel
The coming of steam power
The rolling mill
Expansion of the industry
The introduction of steel
Places to visit
Further reading
