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BLACKSMITHING -- AN ANCIENT CRAFT THRIVING IN A HIGH TECH WORLD by David W. Wilson Prehistoric people sparked the invention of blacksmithing. Ancient Summerians and Hittites are considered to be inventors of the craft. Some of their forging skills were eventually taught to ancient Egyptians at approximately 1500 BC, and blacksmithing continues today as a significant factor in the life-style on the continent of Africa. A fabulous article "Iron, Master of Them All", at the University of Iowa, describes this relationship in detail. Historically, the power of the nations of the world was determined by a concentration of talented blacksmiths and this power quickly shifted with their displacement. A study of the Roman Empire reveals this advantage with strategic importance of weapons, armor and installation of horse shoes in conquering less equipped rivals. An excellent glimpse of the world history of metalworking may be seen at the web site; Metallurgical Heritage of India.
Throughout time, the forge fires have kept burning. Early blacksmiths probably used coal as a fuel to heat the iron. A very common element, iron is even found in meteors and a vital item in human bodies. Small amounts of iron may be acquired by simply dragging a magnet in soil. It has been fashioned into both utilitarian tools and weapons of war, however, the complicated process of mass production delayed the widespread practice of the craft until smelting techniques could be perfected. The manufacturing of iron helped to increase the social status of blacksmiths and was a major factor in the industrial revolution. This epoch is well described in the Industrial Biography by Smiles.
A wealth of European talent comes to the new world. Legendary European ironwork designer, Jean Tijou was internationally famous and employed by royalty. The guild system during his time required numerous journeymen and apprentice workers. The descendants of these great European artists gradually travelled to the new world and they followed many different paths to reach the new land.
Some had come very early with the Spanish explorers, Coronado and Ornate, to blaze the Camino Real trail. They traveled through Aztec lands to locations in what is now Southwestern America and the Panhandle of Texas. Similar to the soldiers of the Roman Empire, they required blacksmiths to shoe their horses for the rocky terrain and produce functional ironwork for their buildings. In 1719, Juan Banul from Brussels, Belgium, arrived in the Spanish province and produced beautiful hardware for the Missions at San Jose and San Antonio de Valero. During this time, thousands of other blacksmiths were immigrating to Colonial America, and they settled thorough the land. A wonderful recreation of this is at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.
Anvils meet bytes. Modern day blacksmiths are now connected on a world-wide scale through the Internet. Some international organizations include the International Association of Designing Artist Blacksmiths, The British Artist Blacksmith's Association and Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America. Local chapters, including the North Texas Blacksmiths Association, http://www.flash.net/~dwwilson/ntba/, help to keep blacksmiths informed about the craft on a community level. The clubs monthly meetings allow anyone to practice their forging talent.
Forging in the new millennia. Contemporary blacksmiths generally do not shoe horses but produce ornamental ironwork such as gates, railings, furniture, lighting and other household items. (The term "farrier" applies to someone that specializes in horse shoeing and horse care.) Blacksmiths have produced virtually immortal ironwork that adorns some of the worlds great buildings including museums. One of the finest collections of ironwork designs in America by Henry C. Potter, is located at The Hamon Arts Library at the SMU University in Dallas. As an ancient craft, not much has really changed from the primitive methods of the Summerians. However, the cumulative knowledge and talents are more easily shared.
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