IN THE BEGINNING
- Since the beginning, Sheffield’s unique geography has provided optimal conditions for steel making. The hills supplied iron and coal, the rivers provided water power and the forests offered wood and charcoal in abundance.
- As early as 1379, around 25% of Sheffield’s population were listed as metal-workers. By 1672, the city had 224 metal-working smithies, and a further 376 in its Hallamshire hinterland.
THE 1700s
- In 1742, local manufacturer, Benjamin Huntsman, revolutionised the industry with a new steel-making process called Crucible Steel. This allowed for tougher steel to be produced in much larger quantities.
- This transformed Sheffield from small township to leading industrial city. In the 100 years that followed, annual steel production rose from 200 tonnes to 800,000 – almost half of Europe’s total production at the time.
THE 1700s
- In 1742, local manufacturer, Benjamin Huntsman, revolutionised the industry with a new steel-making process called Crucible Steel. This allowed for tougher steel to be produced in much larger quantities.
- This transformed Sheffield from small township to leading industrial city. In the 100 years that followed, annual steel production rose from 200 tonnes to 800,000 – almost half of Europe’s total production at the time.
THE 1800s
- With the Crimean War looming in 1854, demand for steel rose sharply. High-quality Sheffield Steel contributed to weapons, armour plating and new railway lines for the war effort.
- In 1856, Henry Bessemer invented the converter furnace, enabling mass production of cheap, refined steel. This sent Sheffield global, and – by 1871, America was importing over three times as much rail track from Sheffield as it produced domestically.
- In 1860, John Brown took the first licence to produce Bessemer Steel in Sheffield. Within 7 years, he was manufacturing the plating for 75% of the British Navy’s armoured ships.
THE 1900s AND BEYOND
- In 1912, Sheffield-based chemist – Harry Brearley, invented stainless steel. In 1924, just over a decade later, Dr W. H. Hatfield created 18/8, perhaps the most commonly used stainless steel in the world to this very day.
- During the 1960s, 70s and 80s, research from Sheffield-based professors, T. Gladman and F. B. Pickering resulted in the development of modern, high-strength, low alloy steels.
- Nowadays, Sheffield’s steel industry focuses largely on specialist trades. International buyers – particularly those from the US, are still drawn to the quality and heritage of tools made from Sheffield Steel.
THE 1900s AND BEYOND
- In 1912, Sheffield-based chemist – Harry Brearley, invented stainless steel. In 1924, just over a decade later, Dr W. H. Hatfield created 18/8, perhaps the most commonly used stainless steel in the world to this very day.
- During the 1960s, 70s and 80s, research from Sheffield-based professors, T. Gladman and F. B. Pickering resulted in the development of modern, high-strength, low alloy steels.
- Nowadays, Sheffield’s steel industry focuses largely on specialist trades. International buyers – particularly those from the US, are still drawn to the quality and heritage of tools made from Sheffield Steel.