Hobbies And Interests
History
The beginnings of metalworking are a mystery to modern science, as little remains of the early development of the tools needed to manufacture metallic objects. At some point in prehistory, man was able to determine that by melting certain rocks, they could mold them into new objects with increased durability and functionality. How soon this occurred following man's ability to create fire is unknown, but archeologists speculate that it may have been as early as a generation. It is known that some of the earliest known artifacts are of a decorative nature, simple necklaces and rings.
Theories/Speculation
Isaac Asimov postulated that the earliest metalworking probably involved gold. The reasoning behind this theory is that gold is the only metal readily available in usable form on the Earth's crust. Found in solid nuggets, gold's low oxidation rate causes it to avoid other elements and stay in a pure form. In addition, the tools needed to modify the shape of the nuggets were readily available to early man. Because of its malleability, gold could be modified by wood, rocks and bone. This would have allowed early man to simply locate some gold and manipulate it into a desired shape.
Considerations
It is known that additional elements, specifically copper, were being produced as early as 7000 B.C.E. Plentiful copper mines have been unearthed in the Middle East and South Asia. The main drawback with copper is that, like gold, it retains a certain malleability even after it is shaped. It is believed that by 2700 B.C.E., metalworkers had learned that the addition of tin to copper created the hardness and sharp edges needed to construct weapons and tools that were far more durable than previously possible. The joining of these two metals created the first known alloy, bronze, and the Bronze Age was born.
Significance
Soon, metals became precious commodities. They became currency. Gold, silver and copper became highly desired for their malleability. Whole societies collectively established economies based on their possession of metals and the need to manufacture weapons and structures created industries of mining, metalworking and trading. Whole empires rose and fell based on their access to metals, and wars were fought to possess the most valuable of them. At the same time, metalworkers learned of the various ways to seize iron from its ore, giving way to the most important metal known to man. The invention of steel alloys came a short time later, resulting in the ability ov civilizations to construct massive structures never dreamed of in antiquity.
Features
Modern metalworking has become a massive industry and a large influence on the global economy. Huge factories create steel girders and cars for metal cities that dot the world. Millions of people work in the mines and factories or sell the materials, making it one of the most important facets of society. It has also become a hobby for many people interested in creating small items. Jewelry-making with metals and other small metal craft works are very popular. Many hobbyists have taken to building small engines, using tools in their garages or workbenches to craft working machines made of various metals that would have been impossible a century ago. Metalworking has grown from simply manipulating gold to worldwide importance.