American iron, 1607-1900
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
American iron, 1607-1900
(John Hopkins studies in the history of technology, new ser.,
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001, c1996
- : pbk.
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  Okinawa
  Korea
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  United States of America
Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 318-330) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
By applying their abundant natural resources to ironmaking early in the 18th century, Americans soon made themselves felt in world markets. After the Revolution, ironmakers supplied the materials necessary to the building of American industry, pushing the fuel efficiency and productivity of their furnaces far ahead of their European rivals. In this work, Robert B. Gordon draws on recent archaeological findings as well as archival research to present an comprehensive survey of iron technology in America from the colonial period to the industry's demise at about the turn of the 20th century. Closely examining the techniques - the "hows" - of ironmaking in its various forms, Gordon offers new interpretations of labour, innovation and product quality in ironmaking, along with references to the industry's environmental consequences. He establishes the high level of skills required to ensure efficient and safe operation of furnaces and to improve the quality of iron product. By mastering founding, fining, puddling, or bloom smelting, ironworkers gained a degree of control over their lives not easily attained by others.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Iron
Chapter 2. Ore, Fuel, and Other Natural Resources
Chapter 3. The Rise of American Iron, 1720-1860
Chapter 4. Smelting with Charcoal
Chapter 5. Converting Pig Iron to Wrought Iron
Chapter 6. Coal-Fired Blast Furnaces
Chapter 7. Steel
Chapter 8. Shaping Iron and Steel
Chapter 9. Iron Quality
Chapter 10. Ironmaking Eclipsed, 1860-1900
Chapter 11. The Industrial Archaeology of Iron
Appendix A. Metallography
Appendix B. Iron Production Data
Notes
Glossary
Essay on Early Treatises and Primary Sources
Index
by "Nielsen BookData"