Pig Iron Collection

Tapping blast furnace, and casting iron into pigs, Siemens iron and steel works, Wales, 1885. The pollution generated during the production of iron and steel at the Siemens Landore Works

A diagram depicting a Finery Furnace used in converting pig iron into malleable or bar iron
5311284 A diagram depicting a Finery Furnace used in converting pig iron into malleable or bar iron: a sectional view of the bottom of a Finery Furnace

#37050063

Worlds Production of Pig Iron in 1879 (colour litho)
6026962 Worlds Production of Pig Iron in 1879 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Worlds Production of Pig Iron in 1879)

A Diving Machine on a New Constitution, pub. 1806 (hand coloured engraving)
5902919 A Diving Machine on a New Constitution, pub. 1806 (hand coloured engraving) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); Private Collection; (add.info)

Decarbonisation of pig iron in a Bessemer converter (colour litho)
3100183 Decarbonisation of pig iron in a Bessemer converter (colour litho) by Gehrke, Fritz (1855-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: Decarbonisation of pig iron in a Bessemer converter)

The Riveters, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Riveters, 1917

Making Pig-Iron, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Making Pig-Iron, 1916

The Great Tower: Pig-Iron, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Great Tower: Pig-Iron, 1916

Pig casting at the Park Gate Iron & Steel Co, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, 1964. Pig iron being teemed (poured) into ingots at the Park Gate Iron & Steel Co in Rotherham

Decarburisation of pig iron in a Bessemer converter, 1900. Artist: Gehrke
Decarburisation of pig iron in a Bessemer converter, 1900

Smelting iron furnace, 1751-1777. A print from the Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire Raisonne des Sciences, des Arts et des Metiers by Diderot & d Alembert, 1751-1777. Private Collection

Smelting iron furnace, pig iron mould, 1751-1777. A print from the Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire Raisonne des Sciences, des Arts et des Metiers by Diderot & d Alembert, 1751-1777. Private Collection

Tapping a blast furnace and casting iron into pigs, c1900. From The Marvels of Metals by FM Holmes. (London, c1900)

Tapping a blast furnace and running molten iron into the pigs, c1885

The foundry or cast house, Butterley Ironworks, Derbyshire, 1844. Tapping the furnace and casting iron into pigs. A manager in top hat and tail coat watches the procedure

PITTSBURGH: FOUNDRY. Men striking pig iron molds at a foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Stereograph, c1910

ALABAMA: SLOSS FURNACE. Casting pig iron, or crude iron, at the Sloss Furnace in Birmingham, Alabama. Photograph, c1906

ALABAMA: SLOSS FURNACE. The Sloss Furnace, a pig iron-producing blast furnace in Birmingham, Alabama. Photograph, c1906

PITTSBURGH: FOUNDRY, c1905. A ladle pouring molten metal into pig iron molds at a foundry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, c1905

STEEL WORKERS, c1905. Steel workers at a blast furnace in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, making molds for pig iron, crude iron that is then remelted to make iron and steel products, c1905

Bessemer Process / Pigiron
The Bessemer process for decarbonising pig-iron in a German factory

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"Pig Iron: From Blast Furnace to Industrial Marvel" In the late 19th century, amidst the roaring industrial revolution, a remarkable process known as pig iron production emerged. The tapping of blast furnaces and casting iron into pigs became a pivotal step in transforming raw materials into the building blocks of modern society. One such significant development was witnessed at Siemens Iron and Steel Works in Wales back in 1885. This groundbreaking establishment played a vital role in shaping the world's production of pig iron, as depicted vividly in a captivating colour lithograph from 1879. Even earlier, an intriguing hand-coloured engraving from 1806 showcased a diving machine on a new constitution - an illustration that hinted at the innovative spirit driving advancements within this industry. The decarbonisation through Bessemer converters also marked another milestone. A mesmerizing colour lithograph captured this transformative process around 1900 while artist Gehrke beautifully portrayed its decarburisation aspect in his artwork dating back to 1900. As time progressed, artists like Joseph Pennell immortalized various aspects manufacturing through their masterpieces. "The Riveters" (1917), "Making Pig-Iron" (1916), and "The Great Tower: Pig-Iron" (1916) all captured different facets of this intricate process with great attention to detail. Fast forward to more recent times; photographs documented moments like pig casting at Park Gate Iron & Steel Co. , Rotherham, South Yorkshire in 1964 – showcasing how these techniques endured throughout history despite evolving technologies. Looking even further back into history reveals smelting iron furnaces from between 1751-1777. These structures were instrumental not only for producing pig iron but also for creating molds that shaped it into recognizable forms. Ultimately, tapping blast furnaces and casting molten metal into pigs became synonymous with progress and innovation during those transformative years.