Changes

The '''Steel industry''' is the worldwide heavy industry that produces [[steel]]. Most of the steel is used in construction of factories, office buildings and bridges, and in automobiles, appliances and machinery. Demand for steel fluctuates greatly.

The '''Steel industry''' is the worldwide heavy industry that produces [[steel]]. Most of the steel is used in construction of factories and offices, and in automobiles and machinery. The industry is highly volatile

The U.S. steel industry is a $75+ billion business with 1200 companies, comprising about 5% of U.S. manufacturing.  The steel industry (including iron production) uses 2-3% of all US energy consumption and has invested more than $7 billion in environmental controls.  There are 20 large integrated mills producing steel in basic oxygen furnaces. The industry employs 154,000 people nationwide, with pay scales about 50% higher than average.  Most grades of steel in use today – particularly high-strength steels that are lighter and more versatile – were not available ten years ago. Steel is the most recyclable and recycled material in North America, with an overall recycling rate of 68%.  

The U.S. steel industry is a $75+ billion business with 1200 companies, comprising about 5% of U.S. manufacturing.  The steel industry (including iron production) uses 2-3% of all US energy consumption and has invested more than $7 billion in environmental controls.  There are 20 large integrated mills producing steel in basic oxygen furnaces. The industry employs 154,000 people nationwide, with pay scales about 50% higher than average.  Most grades of steel in use today – particularly high-strength steels that are lighter and more versatile – were not available ten years ago. Steel is the most recyclable and recycled material in North America, with an overall recycling rate of 68%.  

The '''History of the Steel industry''' is part of the core history of industrialization around the world since the early 19th century.  

The '''History of the Steel industry''' is part of the core history of industrialization around the world since the early 19th century.  

[[Image:Bessemer process 1889.gif|right|thumb|350px|{{#ifexist:Template:Bessemer process 1889.gif/credit|{{Bessemer process 1889.gif/credit}}<br/>|}}]]

[[Image:Bessemer process 1889.gif|right|thumb|350px|{{#ifexist:Template:Bessemer process 1889.gif/credit|{{Bessemer process 1889.gif/credit}}<br/>|}}]]

==History pre-1800==

==History pre-1800==

Arnoux, (2001) shows how in mining and the [[metallurgy|metallurgical]] industry, the process of technical innovation and the growth of demand in the period 1450-1550 made possible the emergence of new types of production and commercialization, as happened in the iron-making industry with the diffusion of [[Walloon]] processes throughout northwestern Europe. The mechanization of the forge resulted in rising production of iron and steel for the interregional and international markets, an increasing use of wood, and a global process of salarization of the iron-workers. The growing authority of the forge masters over the workers in smelting and hammering plants signals the development of forges as industrial firms. This process was accompanied by strong intervention on the part of the state and other public institutions by way of orders, patents to protect innovations, and even state-owned industrial factories.<ref> Mathieu Arnoux, "Innovation Technique et Genese De L'entreprise. Quelques Reflexions a Partir De L'exemple De La Metallurgie Europeenne (XIIIe-XVIe Siecles)." ''Histoire, Economie et Société''  2001 20(4): 447-454. Issn: 0752-5702 </ref>

Arnoux, (2001) shows how in mining and the [[metallurgy|metallurgical]] industry, the process of technical innovation and the growth of demand in the period 1450-1550 made possible the emergence of new types of production and commercialization, as happened in the iron-making industry with the diffusion of [[Walloon]] processes throughout northwestern Europe. The mechanization of the forge resulted in rising production of iron and steel for the interregional and international markets, an increasing use of wood, and a global process of salarization of the iron-workers. The growing authority of the forge masters over the workers in smelting and hammering plants signals the development of forges as industrial firms. This process was accompanied by strong intervention on the part of the state and other public institutions by way of orders, patents to protect innovations, and even state-owned industrial factories.<ref> Mathieu Arnoux, "Innovation Technique et Genese De L'entreprise. Quelques Reflexions a Partir De L'exemple De La Metallurgie Europeenne (XIIIe-XVIe Siecles)." ''Histoire, Economie et Société''  2001 20(4): 447-454. Issn: 0752-5702 </ref>