Kwiminyaka engaphaya kwama-9000 abantu baqala ngokwenza izinto nge-metal, xa babefumananisa okokuba bangayifumana njani na i-copper kwi-ore yayo. Baza ke ngoko bafunda okokuba yenziwa njani na ialloy eyomeleleyo, ibronze, ngokugalela i-tin kwi-copper. Malunga neminyaka engama-3000 eyadlulayo, babhaqa i-iron. Bathi besagalela intwana ye-carbon kwi-iron, bafumanisa okokuba bangenza i-alloy ebalulekileyo - esi-steel.