UDLS

For the last six thousand years, the advancement of civilization and technology has been linked in large part to our ability to refine, alloy and use metals. In this talk I will briefly describe the major developments starting with primitive copper smelting and ending with the industrial revolution. Special focus will be paid to a traditional iron-working techniques with which I have some experience. The talk will end with a look at the metallurgical underpinnings of the Japanese sword.