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American Iron, 1607-1900

Robert B Gordon author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Johns Hopkins University Press

Published:30th Jun '20

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

American Iron, 1607-1900 cover

Winner of the Professional and Scholarly Publishing Award for General Engineering from the Association of American Publishers

Originally published in 1996. By applying their abundant natural resources to ironmaking early in the eighteenth 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 American Iron, 1607-1900, Robert B. Gordon draws on recent archaeological findings as well as archival research to present an ambitious, comprehensive survey of iron technology in America from the colonial period to the industry's demise at about the turn of the twentieth century. Closely examining the techniques—the "hows"—of ironmaking in its various forms, Gordon offers new interpretations of labor, 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.

The best available history of the technology of American iron.
Business History
This long-needed book is the best one-volume work extant on how ferrous metals were manufactured before the industrial revolution swept across the United States in the late 19th century . . . The value of this informing study is enhanced by the quality of the maps, scale drawings and pictures.
American Scientist
A fascinating history of the iron industry . . . Gordon's strong interests in historic metallurgy and industrial archaeology provide a unique perspective that makes this a valuable addition to the literature.
Michigan Historical Review

  • Winner of PROSE Award for Best Book in General Engineering 2002 (United States)

ISBN: 9781421435008

Dimensions: 254mm x 178mm x 21mm

Weight: 816g

362 pages