Iron and Steel

Abstract

NO single element has exercised such a profound influence on the social organisation of mankind as iron. To-day, directly or indirectly, it enters into every moment of our lives, sleeping or waking; the production of our food, our clothing, our homes, our furniture; and without it modern transport by sea, land and air, the distribution of gas, water and electricity, in fact all the amenities of modern civilisation, would be impossible. We are still in the Iron and Steel Age, and likely to become more and more dependent on them for our material well-being.