The History of Metals in America

The History of Metals in America chronicles the development of metals as both an industrial activity and a science. Progress involving structural metals made possible the air, land, sea, and space travel of today, skyscrapers reaching over 100 stories high, and many other engineering accomplishments that continue to shape modern society.This lively book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the evolution of metals and metallurgy from the beginning of iron production in colonial times with the first iron plant in 1645 to the prevailing metals of the 21st century. Each chapter describes the development of a metal or series of metal alloys, industry growth, and modern uses in manufacturing. It includes chapters on cast iron, wrought iron, alloy steels, tool steels, stainless steels, nickel-base superalloys, aluminum, and titanium. Other chapters cover the science of metals as it developed from 1890 to 1950 and the biographies of the pioneers of metals research. The final chapters cover the formation, growth, and decline of the integrated steel industry and the rise of a new industry in steel minimills.The History of Metals in America will appeal to readers in all sectors of the metalworking industry, students and faculty of engineering programs, middle and high school American history students, and anyone interested in the history of technology, travel, tools, and machinery in the U.S. The author, Charles R. Simcoe, wrote more than 40 articles for ASM International’s Advanced Materials & Processes magazine, including a monthly series entitled Metallurgy Lane, which became the basis for this book. About the Author Charles Robert “Bob” Simcoe became a member of ASM International, formerly the American Society for Metals, in 1950. He attended The Ohio State University and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1950. Simcoe became interested in the field while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II and taking a course in welding and metallurgy during his service.After graduation, his first job was with Westinghouse Atomic Power Division in Pittsburgh, where he studied zirconium, the structural metal for the atomic reactor in the USS Nautilus submarine. After two years, he began work at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio. He focused on alloy steels and hydrogen in steel and titanium. In 1958, he began work for the Armour Research Foundation in Chicago. He directed a team working on titanium, aluminum, alloy steels, columbium, and other alloys. In 1964, he moved to Lockport, New York, to work for Simonds Saw and Steel. It was here that he worked as an assistant laboratory director, materials manager, and vice president of sales and marketing until he retired in 1985.During his retirement, he consulted with various businesses and worked for Curtiss-Wright in Buffalo, New York. He also taught the metallurgy lab at the State University of New York at Buffalo for six years.During his career, Simcoe wrote articles for Transactions of the ASM, The National Metalworking Weekly, a publication of Centre D’Information Du Cobalt (Brussels), Mechanical Engineering, and the Journal of Metals. He also wrote more than 40 articles for ASM International’s Advanced Materials & Processes magazine, which became the basis for this book.