This new book, Still the Iron Age: Iron and Steel in the Modern World  is an exploration of iron and steel, from its genesis to modern steel production and reflections on the future, taking readers on a journey from the early discovery of techniques used to work with steel to recent developments in the manufacturing and use of steel.

• Incorporates an interdisciplinary discussion of the history and evolution of the iron- and steel-making industry and its impact on the development of the modern world
• Serves as a valuable contribution because of its unique perspective that compares steel to technological advances in other materials, perceived to be important
• Discusses how we can manufacture smarter rather than deny demand
• Explores future opportunities and new efforts for sustainable development in the industry.

Although the last two generations have seen an enormous amount of attention paid to advances in electronics, the fact remains that high-income, high-energy societies could thrive without microchips, etc., but, by contrast, could not exist without steel. Because of the importance of this material to comtemporary civilization, a comprehensive resource is needed for metallurgists, non-metallurgists, and anyone with a background in environmental studies, industry, manufacturing, and history, seeking a broader understanding of the history of iron and steel and its current and future impact on society.

Given its coverage of the history of iron and steel from its genesis to slow pre-industrial progress, revolutionary advances during the 19th century, magnification of 19th century advances during the past five generations, patterns of modern steel production, the ubiquitous uses of the material, potential substitutions, advances in relative dematerialization, and appraisal of steel’s possible futures, Still the Iron Age: Iron and Steel in the Modern World by world-renowned author Vaclav Smil meets that need.

This book would be of interest to metallurgists and non-metallurgists seeking a broader understanding of the history of steel and iron and their current and future impact on society as well as readers with backgrounds in environmental studies, industry, manufacturing and history.

Author :  V  Smil

Imprint: Butterworth-Heinemann

Print Book ISBN : 9780128042335

Pages: 280

Dimensions: 229 X 152