Question

In 1860, steel output stood at 13,000 tons. To how much had it expanded by the beginning of the 20th century?

Answer 1

In 1860, steel output stood at 13,000 tons. Ten years later, the production was 77,000 tons. A decade later, it was 1,397,000 tons. By the beginning of the 20th century the output was 11,227,000 tons. There were factors that explain this growth. One key factor for this growth was the development of the Bessemer converter by Henry Bessemer which made steel cheaper to make. Another factor was the huge size of the American market.

Answer 2

In the 40 or so years to the beginning of the 20th century the steel then blossomed from only 13,000 tons in 1860 to 28 million tonnes which is a huge increase which most likely reflects the impetus given to this production by the Industrial Revolution. This Revolution ran from about 1760-1840 and included I believe the bessemer process of steel making as an innovation from this period.