Metallurgical production as such goes back several millennia of its history. At first, people learned to use copper, as it is found in a native state. However, it was so small that it could not completely replace stone tools.
The true metallurgical industry was born only with the advent of the copper-tin alloy - bronze. This coincided with the emergence of the first states, and the authorities immediately made metallurgical production one of their priorities. After all, weapons were primarily made of bronze, and all state power rested on military force. They tried to monopolize bronze casting.
Three thousand years ago, people discovered iron . This was a real revolution, since iron is found in nature much more often than copper and other metals, so iron products have become much cheaper. Iron ore could be mined by slightly going deep into the soil, and smelting was carried out using the raw method in primitive blast furnaces. Such ovens were built outside the outskirts of any settlement.
However, the state soon took the lead here as well. Having lost its monopoly on metal production, it took the path of enlarging production, creating large workshops for its own needs. In addition, the authorities tried to concentrate technological innovations in their hands, in particular, the smelting of various types of steel. However, the Middle Ages, with its unstable central government, could not provide sustainable development of metallurgical production .
The situation changed only in modern times, with the establishment of stable absolute monarchies. With their knowledge and consent, enterprising representatives of the bourgeoisie began to create large metallurgical factories. They gave birth to a clear division of labor and specialization.
The industrial revolution of the middle of the 19th century affected, first of all, metallurgy. New technologies for smelting iron and iron, new various grades of steel have appeared. These are open-hearth and converter production, steel alloying technologies. The production of iron products increased many times over. We are reaping the fruits of that revolution today.
