In the second half of the nineteenth century the name Sheffield became synonymous with steel production. The development of the steel industry turned life in the old market town upside down as people poured into the area to take up work in the new manufactories. Research and development led to improved methods of production that helped to keep Sheffield at the forefront of the industry. Stainless steel was invented in the city in 1913.
Local industrialists built great factories, particularly in the east end of the city, on a scale hitherto unknown. These companies employed thousands of people making and suppling products to a national and international market. In the twentieth century, during the two world wars, some of these firms provided armaments and armour plate for the war effort.
Working for a large company was like joining a community. It wasn’t just a place of work. There were social and sports clubs and societies, which saw the blossoming of many a romance. While you may not find the employment record of your ancestor, you might find a photo of them or news about them in a company magazine.
In the 1980s the government turned its back on the British steel industry. What had once seemed inconceivable in a place like Sheffield became reality. One by one the steel firms began to close, taking with them some names that were famous, not only in the town, but worldwide. Skills that just yesterday had been in demand were suddenly redundant. Thousands of people were put out of work. It was as though the beating heart of the city had been torn out. Today steel and in particular ‘special steels’ are still produced in Sheffield, but by a much smaller workforce.
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