Dr. Drew:
This is an additional post just for you. Bell-ref above-"It is believed that the most ancient method known for making steel is an invention of Hindoo origin. In its fragments of wrought iron, made in the rudest way direct from the ore, by means of charcoal, was melted in pots in the presence of vegetable matter. The resulting steel is known in the market as "wootz," and containing as it does nearly 1.75 per cent, of carbon, possesses great hardness."
"Many years ago I witnessed the manufacture of steel in Rhenish Prussia as performed in a small refining fire. The hearth was about 2 feet square, the fuel used was a mixture of charcoal with a little coke, and the material treated was the pig iron and spiegle-eisen of the country." ......" ...and the presence of manganese in the spiegel enabled the German manufactures of Siegerland to furnish a very high class quality of steel in the primitive appliances referred to."
Kind Regards,
Raimey
rse
