Sheffield Steel and America. A century of commercial and technological interdependence, 1830-1930

Notes:

Analyses the development of the commercial and technological relationship of the Sheffield steel industry, and its related trades, notably tools, to the USA high grade steel industry to gain insight into the extent to which the two were competitive and complementary. At the time of publication Sheffield steel was a neglected area of study. Considers: crucible steel sector in Sheffield and Pittsburgh; development of special steels - manganese, silicon, vanadium, tool, stainless - in which Sheffield was much involved; involvement of Sheffield steelmakers and toolmakers in USA and their approach to the American market and attitudes to advertising, marketing; the continuing USA technological reliance on Sheffield into the 20th century albeit against a background of increasing independence. Arranged in three parts: 1] 'Special steel technology' [pp13-53]: birth of American crucible steel industry, science and art - Sheffield and American steel technologies contrasted, response to a new technology - electric steel making; 2] 'Development of special steels' [pp57-83]: rise of alloy steels, evolution of high speed steel, contrary to nature - discovery of stainless steel; 3] 'Sheffield steelmakers and toolmakers' [pp87-183]: transatlantic special steels I - crucible steelmakers, rise and decline of Sheffield's high speed steel trade with America 1900-30, transatlantic special steels II - steel casting enterprises, quality pays? - Sheffield and American cutlery manufacture, innovation and adaption - evidence of the saw making trades, men versus machines - the story of the file, how Sheffield lost the American trade - aspects of the marketing of Sheffield products in America