History of Metals in Colonial America

by James Mulholland

The story of the introduction and growth of the technology of metals in the North American colonial period entails significant developments beyond the transfer of the technology from the Old World to the New. In the struggle to create an indigenous industry, in the efforts to encourage and support the work of metals craftsmen, in the defiance of British attempts to regulate manufacturing of metals, the colonial society developed a metals technology...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0817300538
• ISBN13: 9780817300531
• Release Date: July 1981
• Publisher: University Alabama Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.4" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent for iron, poor for other metals

This book starts with a quick look at metallurgy in pre-Columbian Central and South America, and the state of metallurgy in Europe prior to the founding of Jamestown in 1607. The book then goes into a history of metalworking in Colonial America, through to the end of the American Revolution. To a large extent, this book is a history of iron working in Colonial America. The author points out that no native sources of copper and other metals were found or developed. Later in the book, though, a small amount of time is given to explaining colonial copper, silver, tin and pewter-smithing. However, as a history of iron working, this book is possibly without peer. It fully explains colonial era smelting and forging techniques, and explains their ramifications for the new country.Therefore, if you want a book on colonial iron working, you will find this to be an excellent book. If you are interested in colonial work in other metals, then you will probably be disappointed. I give this book a qualified recommendation.