Forging & Finished Products

Forging and Finished Products. . , In the 1880s, the Board of Directors at the Bethlehem Iron Company realized that specialization was needed to survive the increased competition from steel mills to the west. The firm found its niche in making heavy forgings for the U.S. Navy. Beginning in 1887, contracts were secured to supply armor plate and big guns for the first generation of steel battleships. The products were created by heating and pressing them with tremendous force., In the early 20th century, Charles Schwab led efforts to further expand the plant's product line by adding rolling mills that created wide flange beams. An evolution of the I-Beam, wide flange beams allowed for more economical construction of skyscrapers and bridges. As more items were added, from projectiles to engines, the plant eventually offered the most diverse product line of any steel mill in the country., [Photo caption reads] , Armor plating being forged in the 14,000-ton press with the 125-ton steam hammers in the background. While this equipment no longer exists, forging still occurs with modern machinery on the former Bethlehem Plant site.