| Common Era |
Event |
|
| 1100 - 1199 |
Forge bellows with wooden boards and leather flap-valves probably invented. (Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1200 - 1299 |
Horizontal bench lathe appears, using foot treadle to rotate object. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1300 - 1400 |
Iron manufacture begins to use blowing furnaces driven by water power. (Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1450 ca. |
Blast furnaces with water-driven bellows (1340, H2) first used. (Rhine Valley) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1485 |
Evidence of vertical grinding wheel with treadle and crank. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1500 |
Tinplate. (Europe) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1500 |
Blast furnace introduced into Britain. (Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1523 |
Earliest record of steel works in Britain: not likely to be very mechanical. (Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1540 ca. |
Biringuccio's PIROTECNIA on metallurgy and machine tools (also glass working and chemical industries) issued. (Biringuccio) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1550 |
Windmill driven saw. (Low Countries) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1552 |
Iron rolling machine. (Brulier) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1568 |
Simple mandrel lathe shown on woodcut of Hartman Schopper. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1569 |
THEATRE DES INSTRUMENTS ET MACHINES written: includes modified center lathe and other guides. (Jacques Besson, France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1569 - 1578 |
Improved (screw) lathe described in THEATRUM INSTRUMENTORUM: tool held rigidly and moved axially forward by lead screw. (Jacques Besson, France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1588 |
LE DIVERSE ET ARTIFICIOSA MACHINE describes 16th century machines: includes various metal pumps. (Agostino Ramelli, Italy, France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1607 |
NEW THEATRE OF MACHINES AND BUILDINGS published posthumously: includes mill press, etc. (Vittorio Zonca) - [General Shop Production and Machinery] |
48 |
| 1614 |
Cementation steel process patented by Ellyott and Meysey. (Ellyott and Meysey, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1619 |
Experiments to forge pig iron using coal-fired furnace begin: also many have used coke. (Dud Dudley, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1647 |
Saugus Iron Works* produces pig iron and wrought iron by puddling, first in US. (J Winthrop, Saugus, Mass) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1662 |
Water-driven boring mill with guided auger for pump logs illustrated. (Bockler, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1670 ca. |
Rolled sheet lead made. (Hale, Britain) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1671 |
Machine invented for cutting clock wheels: developed by 1784 into commercial availability. (Robert Hooke, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1695 ca. |
TRAITE DE MECANIQUE published: followed by treatise on cycloidal gear teeth. (P de La Hire, Paris) - [General Shop Production and Machinery] |
48 |
| 1700 |
Zinc-smelting at Swansea. (Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1700 |
Earliest accurate metal-working lathes in use. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1700 - 1799 |
Metal, especially cast iron, replaces wood for machine parts. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1700 ca. |
Iron mandrel lathes start to replace wood versions: written 1698, published 1701. (Father Plumier) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1709 - 1750 |
Smelting of iron at Coalbrookdale works begins: 1713 with coke, hotter blast and better iron. (Abraham Darby, Shropshire, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1720 |
Cornwall furnace, typical of US ironworks, produces pig iron and cast iron products. (Peter Grubb, Cornwall, Pa) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1728 |
Rolling mill for iron patented. (Payne, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1736 |
Mechanical automaton demonstrates simulated finger and lip movement to play flute. (Vaucanson) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1738 |
Process invented to smelt zinc with coal: highly laborious process. (Wm Champion, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1740 |
Crucible-cast steel developed commercially: 1742, Sheffield works established. (Huntsman, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1742 - 1837 |
Galvanizing developed: Malouin describes in 1742, patents in 1837 (zinc coating on steel or iron). (France and Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1745 |
Rolling mill designed to refine and shape wrought iron bar in single process: used by Cort. (C Polhem, Sweden) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1750 |
Lathe with tool holder carriage invented: early use screw drive for precision machinery. (Thiout, Europe) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1750 |
Mechanical slide rest for lathe appears. (Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1751 |
Nickel isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1760 |
First metal-cylinder blowing engine built at Carron Ironworks: use of cast iron in machines led end of wooden construction in power machinery. (John Smeaton, Scotland) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1769 |
Boring mills at Carron designed: improve pump cylinders. (John Smeaton, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1770 |
Screw-cutting lathe invented: first to get satisfactory results. (Jesse Ramsden, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1772 |
Principle of hydraulic ram developed. (Whitehurst) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1774 |
Manganese isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1775 - 1776 |
Horizotal boring mill invented: bores 57-inch steam cylinder 'correct within the thickness of . . . shilling'. (John Wilkinson, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1776 |
Reverberatory furnace. (Brothers Cranege) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1781 |
Molybdenum isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1783 |
Grinder for tools and cutters invented. (Samuel Rehe, France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1783 - 1784 |
Puddling process allows conversion of pig iron into wrought iron. (Henry Cort, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1785 |
Interchangeable musket locks produced with jigs (idea exported via Thomas Jefferson). (France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1790 ca. |
Nail-making machine with toggle joint invented. (Jacob Perkins, Massachusetts) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1791 |
Automated flour mill establishes production records (1791): US becomes major exporter after 1850. (Oliver Evans, Wilmington, Del) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1793 |
Woodworking machinery patented: includes planing machines with rotary cutters. (Bentham, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1794 |
Titanium isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1794 |
First US stamp mill built. (Josiah Hornblower, New Jersey) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1794 |
Compound slide rest developed. (Henry Maudslay, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1794 - 1945 |
Springfield Armory established for US govt manufacturing: includes research and development, gauges, metal working, etc. (Warner, Thomas Blanchard, Springfield, Mass) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1795 - 1798 |
Assembly process machines to produce interchangeable gun parts developed (independent of French work). (Whitney and Bentham, New Haven, Conn) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1796 |
Self-acting hydraulic ram introduced: in use by 1827. (J M Montgolfier, France) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1796 - 1798 |
Hydraulic press*, using Pascal's hydrostatic principles, built 1795, patented 1796: with Henri Maudsley, first functional hydraulic press. (Joseph Bramah, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1797 |
Chromium isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1797 |
All-metal screw-turning lathe for precision machining introduced (1794--X3). (Henry Maudslay, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1798 |
Continuous rolling mill patented: developed 1856. (Wm Hazeldine, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1798 |
Slide-rest lathe for cutting screw threads patented. (David Wilkinson, Pawtucket, RI) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
|
19th Century |
|
| 1807 |
Modulus of elasticity: stress to strain of a structural material. (Thomas Young) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1807 ca. |
Potassium, strontium, calcium, magnesium, and barium isolated using electrolysis. (Sir Humphry Davy, London) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1808 |
Machines devised to make pulley blocks for British Navy: produced by Maudsley. (Marc I Brunel, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1808 ca. |
Power compressor used to drive workshop tools: apparently for the first time. (Wm Murdock, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1809 |
Carbon arc discovered: later used as illuminant (1860 ca) and for arc welding (1900 ca). (Sir Humphry Davy, London) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1810 |
Lead screw adapted to lathe, leading to large-quantity machine-tool construction. (Henry Maudslay, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1810 ca. |
Cable-wrapping machine patented. (John Roebling, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1816 |
Milling machine invented to reduce hand filing of intricate shapes. (Simeon North, Harpers Ferry Armory) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1817 |
Metal planing machine. (Roberts, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1818 |
Milling machine invented. (Eli Whitney, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1818 - 1836 |
Machine to copy wooden shapes invented; woodworking machines made (several patented). (Thomas Blanchard, Worcester, Mass) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1820 - 1829 |
Sintering developed: for melting powdered platinum (undated--W7). (Wm Wollaston, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1820 - 1849 |
Lathes, drilling, boring machines and planers -- most primary machine tools -- refined. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1820 ca. |
Study of common alloying steels begins after publication of Stodart and Faraday's work. (Stodart, Faraday) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1820 ca. |
Steam engine (especially marine) and iron furnaces spur machine shop development: lead to development of coal and iron. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1825 - 1886 |
Aluminum powdered in 1825 by Oersted; ingot in 1827 by Wohler; processed by Deville 1854. (Hans C Oersted, Friedrich Wohler, Henri Deville, Denmark, Germany, France) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1826 |
Graphite crucible invented: withstands extreme heat. (Joseph Dixon, Massachusetts) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1826 |
Malleable wrought iron developed in US: patented 1831. (Seth Boyden, US) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1826 |
Steel-arm filing machine introduced. (James Nasmyth) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1828 |
Hot blast for iron manufacture introduced. (James B Neilson, Glasgow, Scotland) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1830 |
Vanadium isolated. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1830 |
Gear-cutting machine with involute cutters and geared indexing improved. (Joseph Whitworth, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1830 - 1839 |
Steam engines for locomotives spur machine-shop growth. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1830 - 1859 |
Milling machines, shapers, grinding machines. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1831 |
Surface-grinding machine patented. (J W Stone, Washington, DC) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1833 |
Iron smelting with anthracite patented. (US) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1834 |
Grinding machine developed: perhaps first. (Wheaton, Providence, RI) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1836 |
Shaping machine invented: Whitworth soon added crank mechanism. (James Nasmyth, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1836 - 1839 |
Steam hammer* invented by French F Cave and F Bourden (Le Creusot) and is credited to James Nasmyth. (France, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1839 |
Cheaper steel produced from adding curburet of manganese as deoxidizer: patented. (Josiah M Heath, Sheffield, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1840 |
Rotary concentric squeezer patented: for rolling puddled iron into cylindrical bars. (Henry Burden, New York) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1840 - 1844 |
Rotary drills with metal bits used: English patent by Beart; 1887 Chapman update. (Robt Beart (English), France) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1840 ca. |
Vertical pillar drill with power drive and feed in use (originated in 1750). - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1841 |
Whitworth screw threads introduced; standard adopted in Britain. (Joseph Whitworth, Britain) - [Tools and Shop] |
40 |
| 1842 |
Self-acting power-driven planing machine introduced. (Joseph Whitworth, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1842 |
Gear-generating machine for cutting cycloidal teeth developed. (Joseph Saxton, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1842 - 1859 |
Waste steel converted into ingots and crucible steel formulas created: improves saws. (Henry Disston, Philadelphia) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1845 |
Disc-grinding machines devised. (James Nasmyth, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1846 |
Whitney (cylinder) wood-planing machine built. (Baxter Whitney, Massachusetts) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1848 |
Roberts' punching machine for iron plates. (Roberts, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1850 |
Commercially successful universal milling machine designed (Robbins and Lawrence): first US. (Frederick W Howe, Windsor, Vt) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1850 - 1885 |
Synthetic grinding wheels developed: introduces surface grinding over hand scraping. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1850 ca. |
Major experimental techniques in metal microstructure and thermal treatment begins. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1853 |
Drop hammer patented: credited with modernizing die-forging; Colt Armory built also. (Elisha Root, Hartford, Conn) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1853 |
Surface grinder patented. (S Darling, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1854 ca. |
Commercial vertical turret lathe built for Robbins and Lawrence by R W Howe and Henry Stone. (Stone, Howe, Lawrence, Windsor, Vt) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1855 |
First patent for Bessemer steel granted in Britain. (Bessemer, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1855 |
Precision gear-cutter produced: accurate gears, drill index plates, and circular graduating. (Joseph R Brown, Providence, RI) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1856 |
Pneumatic conversion of iron to steel (with oxygen) introduced: marks start of cheaper steel. (Bessemer, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1856 |
3-high mill introduced for rolling metal at Motala ironworks. (Sweden) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1856 |
Hobbing process for making gears: effective with involute-shaped gear that superceded cycloidal in 1880s. (Christian Schiele, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1857 |
Patents comparable to Bessemer process granted to Wm Kelly of Kentucky, Robt Mushet for triple-compound process, and Joseph Martien for furnace. (Kelly, Mushet, Martien, US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1857 |
Manufacture of iron-tungsten alloys patented: for high-speed steels and powder metallurgy. (Oxland) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1857 |
3-high mills developed: advances in rolling plants. (John Fritz, Pittsburgh) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1857 |
Whitney gauge lathe built. (Baxter Whitney, Massachusetts) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1858 |
Compressed-air drill patented: to drill Mont Cenis Tunnel, based on Thomas Bartlett's idea. (G Sommeiller) - [Construction Tools] |
45 |
| 1860 |
Continuous wire mills for copper telegraph wire introduced. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1860 |
Twist drill (for flutes) introduced: increases speed of drilling, leads to Brown and Sharpe universal milling machine. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1860 - 1869 |
First cylindrical grinder made in US: replaces single-point tool of engine lathe. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1860 - 1879 |
Universal milling (1861-65) and universal grinding machines (1876) produced. (Joseph Brown and L Sharpe, Providence, RI) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1860 - 1910 |
Precise metal-working machine tools for mass production grow, requiring standardization. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1862 |
Continuous mill for rolling metal re-invented. (George Bedson, Manchester) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1862 |
3-high mill introduced for rolling metal at Birmingham. (Britain) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1863 |
Bessemer steel-making process introduced to United States. (Alexander Holley, Troy, NY) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1863 - 1868 |
Thread-rolling machines for screw threads built. (Joseph Tanye, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1864 |
American standard screw thread proposed: adopted 1901-05. (William Sellers, Philadelphia) - [Tools and Shop] |
40 |
| 1864 - 1868 |
Siemens-Martin process: Martin's melted steel in Siemens' regenerative open-hearth furnace. (Sirevil Works, Paris) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1866 |
Hydraulic forging press erected in Oldham (patented 1847): uses Bessemer steel. (Sir Charles Fox) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1868 - 1870 |
Mushet tool steel developed: first air-hardening alloy steel, forerunner of high-speed steel. (Robt Mushet, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1869 |
A MANUAL OF MACHINERY AND MILLWORK published. (Wm J McQuorn Rankine, Scotland) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1869 |
Machine for planing metal patented: production of fine gear work promotes standardized gauges. (Francis Pratt, Hartford, Conn) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1870 |
Factories producing heavy machinery appear. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1871 - 1873 |
Sand blasting developed and introduced for fettling iron castings. (B C Tilghman, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1873 |
Automatic screw machine invented (1893, produced finished screws from coiled wire--A2). (C M Spencer, Connecticut) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1873 |
Automats to produce screws, nuts, and cogwheels, en masse patented: forerunner of NC machines. (Christopher M Spencer) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1878 |
Spur gears manufactured by mechanical process. (Ambrose Swasey, Hartford, Conn) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1879 |
Experimental electric arc furnace for steelmaking built. (Sir Wm Stevens, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1879 - 1880 |
Small indirect electric-arc steelmaking pioneered: emerged in WW1 (ck Elihu Thomson P2). (Charles Siemens, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1880 - 1888 |
First big steel furnace plant: large basic open-hearth plant with forty-eight furnaces, ea. 40-50 tonnage. (Andrew Carnegie, Homestead, Pa) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1880 - 1900 |
Cadmium-alloy trolley wire developed because copper wire for electric traction too soft. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1880 ca. |
Precision roll-grinding machine introduced: determined straightness and uniformity of finish. (J M Poole, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1882 - 1899 |
Manganese steel developed (announced 1882); nonmagnetic manganese steel patented 1883. (Robt Hadfield, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1883 |
Morgan mill patented: continuous train of horizontal rolls (with R H Daniels). (Charles H Morgan, Massachusetts) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1884 - 1905 |
Vanadium added to steel to increase strength and toughness: earliest microalloyed steels. (Arnold, Hadfield, Guillet, France) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1885 |
Electrolysis method leads to commercial process for producing pure copper. (Faraday, Pembrey, So. Wales) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1886 |
Direct electrolysis for commercially producing aluminum discovered. (Hall and Heroult, US and France) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1886 |
Electrical resistance welding process. (Elihu Thomson, Lynn, Mass) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1887 |
Portable electric drills introduced: for shipbuilding. (F J Rowan, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1887 |
Spur-gear hobbing machine patented. (C B Grant, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1887 ca. |
Arc welding developed in Soviet Union (--WRC). (USSR) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1888 |
Osmond on heat treatment and alloy steels. (F Osmond, Britain) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1890 |
Automated shoe-making machine patented (bought by US Shoe Machinery Company). (Jan E Matzeliger, Lynn, Mass) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1890 - 1899 |
Tungsten alloy steels used for high-speed machine tools: replaces Mushet and air-hardening steel. (US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1890 ca. |
Arc welding, resistance welding, and oxyacetylene, welding develops. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1891 |
Carborundum (silicon carbide) invented: made commercially for grinding wheels in 1896. (E A Acheson, Niagara Falls) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1892 |
Universal rolling mill patented: steel beams manufactured. (Abram Reese, St Louis) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1892 |
Quick-change gearbox invented: flexible lathe device. (W P Norton, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1893 |
Experimental work on planing published: RABOTA I USILIE NEOBKHODIMYYA DLYA OTELENIYA .... (K A Zvorykin, Moscow) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1894 |
Simple nickel steels become dominant general-purpose low-alloy steels: especially for carburizing andstructures. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1895 |
Multispindle automatic lathe introduced for small pieces. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1895 - 1898 |
Taylor-White process of heat treatment of high-speed tool steel developed (adds tungsten). (F W Taylor, White, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1895 - 1903 |
Series of Macmillan and Company books on metallurgy, refining, etc, published. (A H Hoirns, Birmingham, UK) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1896 - 1940 |
Heavy-duty precision, high-production rate grinding machine introduced, Brown and Sharpe. (Charles Norton (Ford), RI and Mass) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1897 |
Gear-shaping and related cutters patented. (E R Fellows, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1898 |
International metric standard screw thread adopted in Zurich. (Switzerland) - [Tools and Shop] |
40 |
| 1898 |
Large rope-making machine, known as three-log, built and patented. (John Good, New York) - [Construction Tools] |
45 |
| 1899 |
Grinding machine produced for cones and cups of bicycle ball bearings: changeable templates adjust to various designs of theball-race profile. (Pratt and Whitney, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
|
20th Century |
|
| 1900 |
Tools by Bethlehem Steel Company using Taylor-White steel exhibited at Paris World Exposition. (Taylor-White, Paris) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1900 - 1905 |
Vanadium added to high-speed tool steel: patented in 1905, leads to present 18-4-1 in 1910. (Mathews, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1900 - 1906 |
Taylor-White's tool steel radically replaces Mushet's tool steel with forerunner of 18-4-1. (Taylor-White, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1900 - 1929 |
Electrolytically refined copper makes hot-rolled brasses and new copper alloys possible: pioneered 1870 on. (UK) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1900 ca. |
Oxyacetylene welding develops and spreads throughout Europe. (France) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1900 ca. |
Magnetic chucks introduced in machine tools. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1901 - 1902 |
Change in steel composition in US, Britain, and Germany, according to analysis of tool steels. (J A Mathews, ASTM, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1902 |
Hydraulic drives and controls introduced for machine tools. (Brown and Sharpe, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1906 |
Alloys of nickel and chromium (with and without iron) patented: used in heat equipment. (A L Marsh, UK and US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1906 |
Iron carbon diagram showing critical points of Tschernoff and F Osborn. (H W B Roozeboom) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1906 - 1910 |
Ductile tungsten wire produced for lamp filament: starts modern powder metallurgy. (W D Coolidge, GE, US) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1906 ca. |
Zinc-equivalence factor developed for alloying work, especially important to manganese bronze. (Guillet) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1907 |
Spray gun introduced for paint application. - [Construction Tools] |
45 |
| 1907 - 1913 |
Chromium alloys, including cobalt, tungsten, and molybdenum, patented: cutlery and medical instruments. (Elwood Haynes, Kokomo, Indiana) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1909 |
Aluminum alloy hardening process discovered accidently: (Durener Metalwerke) Duralumin. (Alfred Wilm, Duren, Germany) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1909 ca. |
Drill sharpening machine patented: adopted worldwide (rights sold to Ingersoll-Rand). (J George Leyner, Littleton, Colo) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1911 - 1938 |
Classical R&D in alloy development at National Physical Laboratory leads to alloys designated by letters. (W Rosenhain, NPL) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1912 ca. |
Iron and steel predominant metallic alloys: followed by copper then lead, tin, and zinc. (US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1914 |
First commercial use of stainless steel as high alloy or carbon steel. (H Brearley, Sheffield, Britain) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1915 |
Centerless grinding introduced. (L R Heim, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1915 - 1920 |
Manganese-chromium steels for heat treatment available commercially. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1915 - 1935 |
Permalloy series of nickel alloys developed for electric-electronic equipment. (Yensen, Arnold, Elmen, Ziegler, et al, US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1917 - 1939 |
Gear and hob measuring machines designed: includes pantograph mechanism and sine arm, and 1939 surface finish recorder. (George Tomlinson, NPL, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1918 |
Molybdenum added to steels: especially for high-strength welded tubes for air-frame construction. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1920 - 1929 |
Zinc-aluminum-copper alloys studied: paper for American Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 1923, stimulates research. (Brauer, Pierce, New Jersey) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1920 - 1930 |
Stainless steels and Forty series low-alloy steels introduced: for aerospace and auto industries. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1920 ca. |
Keller milling machine introduced: die-sinking for three-dimensional copying of template, used for large steel dies in automobile manufacturing. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1920 ca. |
Electric motors combined with individual machine tools on wide scale (begins as early as 1901). (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1921 |
Sintered carbide materials developed for tool steels: work resumed after war: Osram predecessor. (Schroeter, Germany) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1921 |
First industrial jig borer made for precision machining: based on 1912 single-point tool. (Societe Genevoise, Switzerland) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1924 |
Semicontinuous hot-strip steelmill operates: 58-in wide and 30-ft long sheets produced. (Ashland, Ky) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1925 |
Brickwork furnace overcomes refractory wall limitations. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1925 |
Tool-tip temperature measurements established through independent work of E G Herbert, H Shore, and K Gottwein. (London, Mass, USSR) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1925 ca. |
Aluminum-brass alloy developed: becomes important seawater condenser tube alloy, pre-diesel. (BNFMRA (1921), Woolwich, UK) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1925 ca. 1929 |
Beryllium and beryllium alloys developed: findings published 1928-29. (Siemens Halske Company) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1926 |
Columbia Steel Company built strip steel mill: four-high mill with correlated roll speeds. (Townsend and Naugle, Butler, Pa) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1927 |
Hardmetal (sintered alloy of tungsten carbide and cobalt: cemented carbide) for tool metal. (Fried. Krupp AG, Essen, Germany) - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1927 - 1949 |
Accuracy of large-turbine gear-teeth finish improves greatly over 20-year period. (IMechE) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1928 |
Tysland-Hole furnace invented: most widely used electric iron-smelting furnace in world. (G Tysland, I Hole, Norway) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1928 |
Hot-pressing of powders in graphite molds patented and used to manufacture large hardmetal pieces. (O Diener, Germany, Britain) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1929 |
First austenitic steel plant erected at ICI Works. (Birmingham, UK) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1930 |
Manganese-molybdenum steels available. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1930 |
Fusion-welded drum* tested: leads to improved fabrication of boiler drums (replaces riveting). (Combustion Engineering, Chattanooga, Tenn) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1930 - 1939 |
Electric arc welding machines for piping used in US. (US) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1930 ca. |
height="37">Zinc produced more economically using horizontal retorts than Champion's process. (Belgium) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1933 |
National Recovery Act (1933) established machine tool code on fair competition. (Ralph E Flanders, US) - [Tools and Shop] |
40 |
| 1933 |
Continuous filing and band-saw machine (Do-All) introduced in US. (US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1934 |
Series of aluminum, nickel-iron alloys developed: modified into Alnico, Cunico, and Cunife. (T Mishima, W Ruder, Japan, US, respectively) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1935 - 1939 |
Lead added to steels: first change in machining practices in years, pre-WWI. - [Materials in Tooling] |
42 |
| 1937 |
Copper-nickel-tungsten alloys produced by liquid-phase sintering: from medical radiation shield. (Price, Smithells, Institute of Metals, UK) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1938 |
Solid solutions of carbides produced by process using menstruum process of 1898. (McKenna, US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1938 |
Machine tool tests and alignments published by IMechE. (G Schlesinger, Britain) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1939 |
Lost-wax process developed to cast complete turbine wheels rather than individual blades. (General Electric, US) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1940 |
Welding adopted as manufacturing process following development of testing such as x ray and gammarays. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1940 - 1945 |
Direct chill or semicontinuous method of casting aluminum-manganese alloy introduced. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1940 - 1945 |
Electrostatic spray gun introduced for paint application: soon known as American Ransburg electrostatic painting. (US) - [Construction Tools] |
45 |
| 1940 - 1950 |
Blast furnace process for producing zinc perfected: replaces retort furnaces. (Avonmouth, UK) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1940 ca. |
Design and performance standards series devised for development of synthetic rubber and new alloys. (NBS, US) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1943 |
Steel cast continually. (S Junghans, Germany) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1943 |
Electro-discharge machining (spark erosion) developed for machine tool manufacturing. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1944 - 1947 |
Centerless thread-grinding machine patented. (A Scrivener (British), Britain, US) - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1948 |
Pure titanium produced on commercial scale. - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1950 - 1959 |
Numerically controlled machines introduced. (US) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1950 ca. |
Cold forming operations improve accuracy: reduce waste in metal finishing, finned tubing. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1950 ca. |
Hydro-blast replaces sand blasting in iron castings: reduces danger. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1950 ca. |
Portable chain tooth saw replaces manual tree-cutting tools. - [Machine Tools] |
44 |
| 1950 ca. |
Punched card and magnetic tape control results in digital machining, speed, and accuracy in casting shapes. - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1952 |
Linz-Donawitz produces steel with new oxygen process; McLouth Steel BOP* developed in 1955. (Linz-Donawitz, Austria) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1952 |
First NC machine operated: a standard 3-geared milling machine, uses 3-D coordinates. (MIT, US) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1954 |
Friction welding of dissimilar metals invented. (USSR) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1954 |
Electronically programmed milling machine introduced (numerically controlled). (MIT, Cambridge, Mass) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1955 |
Hot isostatic process* developed: bonds complex alloy and ceramic parts. (Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1957 |
Electronic beam welding performed in a vacuum at French Atomic Energy Commission. (J A Stohr, France) - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1958 |
Numerically controlled machine center for finishing introduced. (Kearney and Trecker, US) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1960 |
Shape memory alloys made from titanium and nickel developed. (Wm Buehler, Silver Spring, Md) - [Metallurgy-Materials Fabrication] |
41 |
| 1960 - 1965 |
Manufacturing data collected and industrial processes controlled by computer. - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1962 |
Industrial robotic manipulators with pick-and-place functions produced (F8, p 87). (Unimation, Danbury, Conn) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1964 |
Graphic computer display terminals introduced: able to verify production sequence of a workpiece. - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1966 - 1969 |
Computer-controlled industrial machines used in Britain and US. (Shell UK, ICI, etc, Britain and US) - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1968 |
Direct numerical control (DNC) introduced to drive machinery by computer. - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1970 |
Carbon dioxide lasers cut and weld metals, plastics, wood, paper, and cloth. - [Forging and Fabrication] |
43 |
| 1970 |
CNC introduced. - [Automation] |
49 |
| 1978 |
PUMA robot demonstrated: designed for assembly. (Unimation) - [Automation] |
49 |
