Overview

In 1856, Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) developed a new method for manufacturing steel. The Bessemer process made possible the manufacture of large amounts of high-quality steel for the first time. This, in turn, provided steel at relatively low cost to various industries. By revolutionizing the steel industry, the Bessemer process helped to spur on the Industrial Revolution. Within a few decades, foundries were making railroad track, bridge girders, locomotives, armor plating, and other steel-based products.

Background

Iron has been known to man for several thousands of years; the earliest iron implements found thus far are from Egypt and were made about 3000 B.C.. However, iron is a relatively soft and brittle metal on its own. By about 1000 B.C. the Greeks had discovered that heating iron would help to harden it...