Welding has been practiced for thousands of years, evolving over time to become the practice we know today. Here’s a look at how metal fabrication — and specifically welding — has changed over the years.
The Bronze Age. Some of the earliest examples of welding can be traced back to The Bronze Age. A number of gold boxes have been uncovered from the time period that feature very simplistic welding techniques. Archaeologists surmise the earliest welding techniques involved pressure welding lap joints together. The Egyptians also had some simple metalworking knowledge. Iron tools have been found near and around the pyramids in Egypt!
The Middle Ages. It was not until the Middle Ages that metal work started using an open fire. Artisans hammered hot metals over a fire in order to shape and sharpen tools and weapons. The term blacksmith was born, and metal molding practices did not change much until the early 19th century when arc lighting and acetylene were discovered.
Early 1800s. Welding breakthroughs were common in this time period. Open flame or (acetylene) was one of the most important inventions, allowing for intricate fabrication of new tools and equipment. Edmund Davy first discovered acetylene in 1836 and the new technology was soon utilized the world over, from stocking armories with new weapons to fortifying new structures.
Late 1800s. In 1881, a French scientist by the name of Auguste De Meritens succeeded in fusing lead plates together using heat created from an arc. Later, a Russian scientist developed an electrode holder which was ultimately secured for patents in England and the United States.
Some other fun facts about welding:
Metal work in space is different than here on Earth. The scientists at NASA have figured out that in space, when two pieces of metal touch each other, they fuse together. The oxygen in our atmosphere forms an extremely thin layer of oxidized metal on every exposed surface, preventing this from happening on Earth, of course. If you plan on being an astronaut, you probably won’t need to use a welding torch after all. Not for outside repairs at least!
Metal fabrication is used in many consumer products today. Your laptop, the chair you are sitting on, even your car and cell phone required some type of metal fabrication. It’s estimated that more than half of the consumer products on the market today used metal fabrication in the production process!
Your car needed (a lot!) of metal fabrication. Way before any vehicle hits the highway, it undergoes hundreds of hours of fabrication and welding work in order to get the body and chassis ready to go. The suspension, frame work and even axles all get metal work as well.
For all of your machining, water jet cutting, welding, fabrication and other manufacturing service needs, get in touch with Craftco today at (307) 672-9220.