English inventor and metallurgist, Sidney Gilchrist Thomas, discovered a method of eliminating phosphorus (an impurity in some iron ores) in the Bessemer converter – the industrial process used for mass producing steel from molten pig iron. In his honour, the method became known as the Thomas-Gilchrist process, the basic process, or the Thomas process, as…
Steel has emerged as one of the 21st century’s most important substances. Widely used in the construction industry, the majority of today’s large, modern structures, including skyscrapers, stadiums, airports and bridges, are supported by a steel skeleton. Buildings with a concrete structure also use steel for reinforcing, and it’s widely used in the construction of…
“I thought I could hear the curious tone of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone.” When a brass band plays the famous and catchy song, The Floral Dance, an image of the late broadcaster, Terry Wogan, singing his own unique version on Top of the Pops back in 1978 springs to mind. The much-loved Irish…
Tubular Bells is the most famous album released by British musician and composer Mike Oldfield. As his debut album, released by Virgin Records on 25th May 1973, it consists of two long pieces of instrumental music played on a variety of instruments, including the tubular bells. The amazing thing about the album was that Oldfield…
Construction of the mighty 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline began after the discovery of the largest oil field in 1968, underneath Prudhoe Bay in the United States. The finding on Alaska’s North Slope prompted the creation of an efficient and safe way to transport the oil into the marketplace. Today, the pipeline has been recognised as a…
Synonymous with power, speed, luxury and wealth, Ferrari is one of the world’s most elite sports car brands. Although the company is valued at around $21 billion, its beginnings were much more humble. Ferrari dates back to 1947, when founder Enzo Ferrari unveiled its first breed of vehicle in Maranello, Italy – the 125 S….
Steel is an important commodity and a viable alternative to traditional iron, thanks to its durability, flexibility and malleability. Prior to the mid-19th century, steel production was complicated and expensive, until a new production method called the Bessemer process was invented. This has transformed steel production into the multi-million-pound global industry it is today. Invented…
The amazing property of malleability in certain metals is put to good use in almost every sector of engineering. Manageable malleable metals can be hammered, rolled or pressed into thin sheets without breaking. It’s similar to the concept of moulding dough, which can be spread out with a rolling pin, elongated using the hands, pushed…
Think of the word “playground” and you will no doubt picture the standard swings, slides and roundabouts that you find in children’s play areas all across the UK. However, there are some playgrounds around the world that make us wish we were kids all over again. Don’t believe us? Have a look at these five…
From iron to aluminium to stainless steel, furniture crafted from various metals is a popular choice for many who love the durability, structure and look that they can bring. Far from being a new invention, metal furniture has been around for centuries. In fact, a 1996 book on the history of metal furniture even described…