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Line 2: + + + + − + − − But he was not satisfied with the properties of steel as a metal, and always believed that he could create an [[alloy]] superior to conventional steel. The novel never makes clear what caused him to experiment with alloys of [[copper]] and [[iron]], but he might have gotten the idea from studying the properties of [[bronze]], the alloy of copper and [[tin]] that had been known since antiquity. Rearden sought, in essence, to use iron instead of tin in combination with copper, and was convinced that that combination would be stronger than steel, yet much lighter. − His experiments occupied many years and included many false starts. But at last he had the alloy that he sought. He called this alloy Rearden Metal.+
→Rearden Metal
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== Background ==
Henry Rearden was born in or about 1910—two years before the loss of RMS ''[[Titanic]]''. By the age of 14, he had his first paying job. At 24, during the height of the [[Great Depression]], he was the superintendent of an [[iron]] ore mine. Six years later, he bought it.
Five years later, he bought a run-down [[steel]] plant and put his name on it. By then he also owned his own [[coal] mine and thus had complete control of a steel mill and of all the raw materials he would need. Then began a rapid rise to prominence. He little suspected the exaltation—and the pain—that his venture would bring him.
== Rearden Metal ==
== Rearden Metal ==
Henry Rearden did all his work in the business of making [[steel]]. He learned the steel business by working for other steel-making companies. When he eventually decided to run his steel mill, he also decided to have his own small companies to supply him with the [[iron]] [[ore]] and [[coal]] required to make steel.
Henry Rearden was not satisfied with the properties of steel as a metal. He always believed that he could create an [[alloy]] superior to conventional steel. The novel never makes clear what caused him to experiment with alloys of [[copper]] and [[iron]], but he might have gotten the idea from studying the properties of [[bronze]], the alloy of copper and [[tin]] that had been known since antiquity. Rearden sought, in essence, to use iron instead of tin in combination with copper, and was convinced that that combination would be stronger than steel, yet much lighter.
His true motive for finding an alloy stronger and lighter than steel was to create a new type of [[bridge]]. He invented a new type of truss that he knew would require a new metal to build. (He would later discard that design in favor of a truss-arch combination.)
His true motive for finding an alloy stronger and lighter than steel was to create a new type of [[bridge]]. He invented a new type of truss that he knew would require a new metal to build. (He would later discard that design in favor of a truss-arch combination.)
He began his experiments in the year that he opened Rearden Steel. For ten years he kept trying to find the right proportion, and made too many false starts to count. But at last he had the alloy that he sought. He called this alloy Rearden Metal.
== Family life ==
== Family life ==