THE FIRST CASTING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2066, 7 October 1880, Page 3

THE FIRST CASTING.

Oast iron is now in such general use that one might be apt to imagine that it had never been invented, but like Topsy “ bad growed.” Cast iron was not however in commercial use before the year 1700, when Abraham Darby, an intelligent mechanic, who had brought some Dutch workmen to establish a brass foundry at Bristol, conceived the idea that iron might be substituted for brass. This his workmen did not succeed in effecting, being probably too much prejudiced in favor of the metal with which they were best acquainted. A Welsh shepherd boy named John Thomas had some little time previous to this been received by Abraham Darby into his'workshop on the recommendation of a distant relative. Whilst looking on during the experiments of the Dutch workmen, he said to Abraham Darby that he thought he saw where they had missed it. Ho begged to be allowed to try, so he and Abraham Darby remained alone in the workshop all night struggling with the refractory metal and imperfect moulds. The hours passed on, and daylight appeared, but neither would leave his task, and just as the morning dawned they succeeded in casting an iron pot complete. The boy entered into an agreement with Abraham Darby to serve him and keep the secret. He was enticed by the offer of double wages to leave his master, but ho continued faithful, and from 1709 to 1828 the family of Thomas were confidential and much valued agents to the descendants of Abraham Darby.