Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-22
The stolen secre,-Iron and steel.

The main distinction between iron and
steel is, one holds carbon, or the matter OF
charcoal, whereas the other does not. The
amount of charcoal is trivial, and is impaired
by heating bars for long period together
surrounded by powdered, broken charcoal in
a box. Having regard, then, to this opera
ton, il seems natural enough that the outer
portion of each bar should become more
steelifed, (ifI nay be allowed to coin an ex-
pressive word,) tian the internal portion.
| Now. steel of this sori, though good for many
purposes, is Objectionable for others. To give
an example, il is by no means good for the
manufacture of watchsprings nevertheless,
before the invention of cast steel, to which
the readers attention is shortly to be
directed, watch-springs had to be made OF
| it.
There lived in Attercliffc, near Sheffield,
about the year 1760, matchmaker, named
Huntsman He was very much dissatisfied
with the quality of steel of which watch
springs were made in his day, and he set him
selfto the task ofthinking out the cause OF
inferiority. Mr.. II. consequently inferred
that the imperfection Of such watch-springs
as came in his way was referable to the fact
of the irregular conversion OF steetviedhon q
the metal of their manufacture. vi"
though he, 81 can melt a piece of steel and
cast It into an ingot, the composition OF the
latter should be regular and homogeneous"
He tried, and succeeded. The fame of Hunts
mans steel became widely spread, but the
discoverer took care not to designate it by
the name If cast steel under which it is now
familiarly known. This ,cds his ssecret
About the year ITO, large manutactory
of his peculiar steel was established at
Attercliffe. This process was wrapt in
secresy by every means which the inventor
could command. None but workmen of
credit and character were engaged, and they
were forbidden to disclose the secret of the
mandatory by stringent form of oath. AT
length Huntsman's secret was stolen in the
following manner:
One mid-winter night, as the tall chimney
of Atterclitf steel works belched forth its
smoke, giving promise ofa roaring fire within,
n traveller, to whom the desire of placing
himself near roaring fire might seem rea-
sonable longing, knocked at the outer door of
Mr.. Huntsmans factory. 1t was a bitter cold
night the snow fell fast, and the wind howled
across the moor nothing then, could seem
more natural than that the tired way-farer
should seek warm corner where he might lay
his head. He knocked, and the door was
opened. A workman presented himself
whom the way-tarer addressed, humbly beg
ging admission.
mo admittance here except on business
The reader may well fancy how this intima-
tlOn 1ell llle llTcu lTdNeleT SeuT an
inclement night. But the workman, scanning
the traveller over, and discovering nothing
suspicious about him, granted the request,
and let him in.
Fe gning to be completely worn out with
cold and fatigue, the way-flrer sank upon
the door of the comfortable factory and soon
appeared to have gone to sleep. To go to
sleep however, was far from his intention. The
traveller clos ed his eyes all but two little
chinks. He saw all he cared to see. He saw
the workmen cut bars of steel into little bits;
then place them in crucibles and with enor-
nous tongs, pour their liquid into mould.
Mr.. Huntsman's factory had nothing to dis
close. This teds the secret of cast steel.
1t would be easy to extend the list of manu-
factured secrets disclosed in the dishonest way
indicated above. The subject is so unpleas-
ant to dwell upon, that am sure the reader
will rejoice with me that the circumstances
under which manufactures are now carried
on, neither afford the opportunity nor the in
ducement to the theft, such as | have de-
scribpd