THE SECRET OF CRUCIBLE STEEL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 15

THE SECRET OF CRUCIBLE STEEL.

J A CONTRADICTION. Sir,—l desiro to draw your attention [ to an article in the column of "Intercßt- | ing Items" in your issue of December 16, 1914, in which you state that it was the secret of crucible steel bequeathed by Frederick Krupp to his son. that made the Krupp Works: also, that Huntsman, of Sheffield, had discovered the seoret of making crucible steel some hundred years before' Krupp, but that the secrot was buried with him. This statement is contrary to fact, and I wish you to let mo know the name of the paper from which you gathered this news; also, in justice to me, I would I ask you to publish the enclosed article, posting a copy of the edition here. I onclose two brochures, one issued in '1792 and tho other this year, in support of my statements. If you need further confirmation I would refer you to "Smiles's Directory" of 1863, a recognised authority in this country, and certainly one of the most reliable. Yours faithfully, Per pro B. HUNTSMAN, 1 WM. E. T. PATRICKSON, Manager. Sheffield, March 24. [Enclosure.] CRUCIBLE OAST STEEL. Invention of Benjamin. Huntsman, about 1740. He was a clockmaker, with considerable. knowledge of chemistry, and in order to improve his clock springs and pendulums conducted experiments and eventually discovered the process of melting in sealed clay crucibles. Evidence of the numerous experiments were formerly abundant at the old works at Attercliffe, a proof that, as now so in the past, success usually comes after many trials. B. Huntsman then started to manufacture the steel for other purposes, and tho records still in possession of his descendants prove the continuity of the manufacture in the Huntsman family, from the inventor to the present time, the head of the firm io-day being a direct descendant in the fourth generation. Tho business is still devoted solely to the manufacture of the highest grades of crucible cast steely and only the richest and purest material is used. [Tho paragraph to which, exception is taken by our correspondent was clipped from one of our overseas exchanges, but it is impossible now to recall which of the many papers we receive it was taken from. The information now forwarded by Mr. Patrickßon, supplementary to that published herewith, makes it quite clear that the Huntsman process was copied by the German firm of Krupps. The Huntsman firm still carries on its business at Attercliffe, Sheffield.]