how has iron changed the course of history

by Dovie Schroeder 3 min read

Iron changed the world because it allowed taller and larger buildings to be built, longer and safer bridges to be built, and architects to invite new cheaper and safer ways to help advance transportation. Iron originally boomed in Europe during the industrial development age from 1850 to 1914, but iron originated in China.

The production of iron tools helped make the farming process easier and more efficient. Farmers could plow tougher soil, making it possible to harvest new crops and freeing time for more leisure. New varieties of crops and livestock were introduced at different times over the span of the Iron Age.Oct 19, 2015

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How did iron change the world?

Iron has remained an essential element for more than 3,000 years, through the Industrial Revolution – helping Britain become the foremost industrial power – and into today in its more ...

How did iron change the future for architects?

Iron was used in agricultural machines, making farm labor more effective. The new technological advancements were also critical to the development of the rail. Prices of many goods, such as iron cooking utensils, decreased, making them more available and commonly used.

How did the Iron Age tools change over time?

No material has followed the history of our species, from millions of years ago in the heart of Africa to the present, more intimately and persistently than …

What is the history of iron?

Aug 06, 2020 · The history of Iron is defined by our ability to control that carbon content. Iron Rusts Iron is the 4th most common metal on earth, just below aluminum. But it reacts with oxygen readily to form iron oxide ores. Rust is one form of iron oxide and preventing it is a constant struggle in structural maintenance.

Why is iron important in history?

The harder metal allowed farmers to tackle tougher soils, while the plentiful iron deposits made tools more easily accessible and inexpensive. Finally, the adoption of iron allowed the Hittites, the first culture with iron technology, to build a mighty military force and establish an empire able to rival the Egyptians.Jan 20, 2022

Why was iron so important in the ancient world?

Knowing how to smelt iron gave primitive man a far richer supply of metal than he had ever had before, and it was the hardest metal he had ever known. Gradually he learned how to make it into weapons and tools. It is believed that the early making of iron began in some parts of the world some 3,000 years ago.Jul 12, 2013

How does iron impact society?

In modern society iron is the most important of all metals, as it is used to craft different types of steel which is used in a diverse array of applications. Steel is used to make paperclips, skyscrapers, and everything in between. Iron is also an important element in plant and animal life.Jan 8, 2017

How did the use of iron change the course of life of the people in Early India?

Iron was far more durable and stronger than copper or bronze. A variety of tools such as axes, ploughs, sickles, shovels, spears etc could be developed by forging iron. Iron could be sharpened as well instead of being reforged. This in itself was a technological advancement that changed the life of early man.

What was the impact of the widespread use of iron?

More widespread use of iron led to improved steel-making technology at a lower cost. Thus, even when tin became available again, iron was cheaper, stronger and lighter, and forged iron implements superseded cast bronze tools permanently.

What changes did the discovery of iron bring about?

After a few thousand years, man discovered iron, which was stronger than copper. From iron, he developed a variety of tools and weapons such as axes, ploughs, sickles, shovels, spears, etc. Now he could cut trees, till the land and kill big animals easily. He made stronger and bigger wheels for the carts.Aug 15, 2018

How was the use of iron technology brought changes in the economy?

By that time, much of Europe had settled into small village life, toiling the soil with bronze and stone tools. Iron farming tools, such as sickles and plough tips, made the process more efficient and allowed farmers to exploit tougher soils, try new crops and have more time for other activities.Mar 2, 2008

What is the history of iron?

Archeologists believe that iron was discovered by the Hittites of ancient Egypt somewhere between 5000 and 3000 BCE. During this time, they hammered or pounded the metal to create tools and weapons. They found and extracted it from meteorites and used the ore to make spearheads, tools and other trinkets.Apr 17, 2019

How is iron used in everyday life?

Uses of iron in daily life include machinery and tools, as well as vehicles, hulls of ships, structural elements for buildings, bridges and aircraft.Apr 11, 2018

How did the use of iron tools affect man's life?

Iron farming tools, such as sickles and plough tips, made the process more efficient and allowed farmers to exploit tougher soils, try new crops and have more time for other activities.Jun 4, 2019

How did the use of iron change farming in Africa?

This reflected on the West Africans dependence on the world for survival. How did the use of iron change farming? Iron blades allowed people to cut down trees and clear land for farms, this caused the population to grow. Also, a new gardening tool was made from iron.

What is the significance of Iron Age technology to African history?

Iron smelting and forging technologies may have existed in West Africa among the Nok culture of Nigeria as early as the sixth century B.C. In the period from 1400 to 1600, iron technology appears to have been one of a series of fundamental social assets that facilitated the growth of significant centralized kingdoms in ...

Where did the Iron Age begin?

The Iron Age began around 1200 B.C. in the Mediterranean region and Near East with the collapse of several prominent Bronze Age civilizations, including the Mycenaean civilization in Greece and the Hittite Empire in Turkey. Ancient cities including Troy and Gaza were destroyed, trade routes were lost and literacy declined throughout the region.

How long did the Iron Age last?

Few artifacts or ruins remain from the period, which lasted roughly 300 years. By the late Iron Age, the Greek economy had recovered and Greece had entered its “classical” period. Classical Greece was an era of cultural achievements including the Parthenon, Greek drama and philosophers including Socrates.

What was the Iron Age?

Persian Empire. Iron Age In Europe. Iron Age Hill Forts. Bog Bodies. Sources: The Iron Age was a period in human history that started between 1200 B.C. and 600 B.C. , depending on the region, and followed the Stone Age and Bronze Age. During the Iron Age, people across much of Europe, Asia and parts of Africa began making tools ...

Who was the first person to make steel?

The use of iron became more widespread after people learned how to make steel, a much harder metal, by heating iron with carbon. The Hittites —who lived during the Bronze Age in what is now Turkey—may have been the first to make steel.

What caused the collapse of the Bronze Age?

The cause for the collapse of these Bronze Age kingdoms remains unclear. Archaeological evidence suggests a succession of severe droughts in the eastern Mediterranean region over a 150-year period from 1250 to 1100 B.C. likely figured prominently in the collapse.

Where did the Celts live?

Celts lived across most of Europe during the Iron Age. The Celts were a collection of tribes with origins in central Europe. They lived in small communities or clans and shared a similar language, religious beliefs, traditions and culture. It’s believed that Celtic culture started to evolve as early as 1200 B.C.

What was the Dark Ages in Greece?

Greek Dark Ages. Greece had become a major hub of activity and culture on the Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age. The Mycenaean civilization was rich in material wealth from trade. Mycenaeans built large palaces and a society with strict class hierarchy. But around 1200 B.C. Mycenaean Greece collapsed.

When was iron first used?

Some of the earliest evidence of iron being used as material goes back as far as 3500 BC in Egypt. This is when beads of iron taken from a meteor were found. Meteoric iron was a highly prized material due to its heavenly association. Tutankhamun was buried with a dagger made of the material.

Where did iron come from?

However, it is likely that the technology for producing Iron spread from Egypt to the rest of the world. Production of Iron from Iron Ore begins in c1300BC in the Middle East. Active production being seen in Jordan around 1000BC. This then spread to Turkey in the near east, then to Greece and the rest of Europe.

Why are iron cannons dangerous?

Iron was cheap to manufacture and could be fired more often without being damaged. However, these material properties meant that cast iron cannons had a tendency to explode without warning. This made them dangerous to operate.

What is the difference between iron and steel?

The main difference between Iron and Steel is the amount of carbon they contain. Anything with a carbon content above 2% is cast iron. Higher carbon content typically results in a harder and less ductile material.

How long did the Iron Age last?

If we continued to define human history by the materials being mastered at that time, it could be argued that the Iron age lasted right up until a little over 150 years ago , when steel was first mass-produced.

What is the carbon content of steel?

Steel is between the two with a carbon content between 0.2 and 2 percent. Giving it an ideal balance between hardness and ductility. The history of Iron is defined by our ability to control that carbon content.

How does a bloomery work?

These bloomeries heat the iron ore using charcoal as a heat source. The burning of charcoal produces carbon monoxide, which reacts with the iron oxide in the ore to form carbon dioxide and iron. The bloomery is heated above the melting point of the impurities, but below the melting point of iron.

When was the transistor invented?

A replica of the first working transistor invented in 1947 by John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley at Bell Laboratories. SSPL/Getty Images. A criminally under-appreciated innovation, the transistor is an essential component in nearly every modern electronic gadget.

When was the first combustion engine invented?

The first practical use of external combustion dates back to 1698, when Thomas Savery developed a steam-powered water pump. Steam engines were then perfected in the late 1700s by James Watt, and went on to fuel one of the most momentous technological leaps in human history during the Industrial Revolution.

How did horses help people?

They enabled people to travel great distances and gave different cultures the chance to trade and exchange ideas and technology. Equine strength and agility meant that horses could also carry cargo, plow farmland and even clear forests. Perhaps most influential of all, horses changed the nature of war.

What was the printing press used for?

In 1518 followers of the German monk Martin Luther used the printing press to copy and disseminate his seminal work “ The Ninety-Five Theses ,” which jumpstarted the Protestant Reformation and spurred conflicts like the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48). The printing press proved so influential in prompting revolutions, ...

Where was the first printing press invented?

Prior to the rise of the Internet, no innovation did more for the spread and democratization of knowledge than Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press. Developed around 1440 in Mainz, Germany, Gutenberg’s machine improved on already existing presses ...

Who invented the electric light?

Pioneered in the early 19th century by Humphry Davy and his carbon arc lamp, electric lights developed throughout the 1800s thanks to the efforts of inventors like Warren de la Rue, Joseph Wilson Swan and Thomas Alva Edison.

What was the purpose of the compass?

The compass provided explorers with a reliable method for traversing the world’s oceans, a breakthrough that ignited the Age of Discovery and won Europe the wealth and power that later fueled the Industrial Revolution .

What is the most interesting thing about history?

History is very interesting and fascinating. It is said that the events in history alter the lives of mankind, and human civilization never remains the same after that, and things change permanently, for better or for worse. World Wars I and II were such events that had a significant effect on the entire world.

How did colonialism affect the world?

Effect on the World: There is no doubt that colonialism had a major effect on the entire world. The rulers exploited the natural resources of the colonies, thus, manipulating them to their advantage. In most of the cases, the natives were treated ruthlessly or forced out, eventually losing their identity.

Why was the Great War called the Great War?

Before being succeeded by World War II, this was known as the Great War, because it was the first major battle among various nations in the world. Initially the Allies (United Kingdom, France, and Russia) fought against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy).

What caused the fall of the Roman Empire?

The actual cause of the fall of the Roman Empire is not known. However, a series of events, like internal crisis and unrest, external invasions, etc., lead to the downfall. The last Western Roman Emperor abdicated, and with it, ended the western Roman Empire. Effect on the world:

How many people died in World War 2?

World War II was the deadliest war in human history, with over 75 million deaths all over the world. The belligerent nations were Allies (France, Poland, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, USA, and the British Commonwealth) against the Axis (Germany, Italy, and Japan).

What was the tennis court oath?

The Tennis Court Oath (1789) The Tennis Court Oath was a major event in the French Revolution, as it signified the revolt of the people against monarchy. What was initially an internal revolution, became a major event in the world history, and indirectly inspired many other countries in the world.

How many people died in the 9/11 attacks?

Two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon, while one, intended at United States Capitol, crashed into a field. It was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the history of the United States. Along with enormous destruction of property, around 3,000 people died in these attacks.

Who invented the internal combustion engine?

Image: Cars and Their Revolution. Some credit Christian Huygens with the invention of the internal combustion engine in 1680. Others say J.J. Etienne deserves the credit – he used gasoline to power his in 1859. More accurately, the internal combustion engine is the work of many men over many years.

When was the wheel invented?

You have to wonder how things got done prior to its invention. The history of the wheel begins in 3500 BC. Aside from the very obvious benefits of moving larger objects and transporting goods and people from Point A to Point B, many of today’s technologies would not been developed if it weren’t for the wheel.

What did Gutenberg do to the world?

With his printing press, books no longer were just treasures of the rich; they were shared amongst the masses. Gutenberg’s contribution to science makes him a crucial figure in the field of education, as well. His printing press helped educate the masses, and we are better as a society for it.

Who invented the printing press?

Image: Intellectual Adventures Lab. Johannes Gutenberg generally gets all the credit for inventing the printing press. But the record shows that Eastern societies most likely used similar technology prior to his 1445 invention. In either case, Gutenberg helped disseminate the written word across all kinds of folk.

What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

The law ended public segregation on a national level and made it illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It was a monumental win for African Americans that was followed about a year later by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Why is Henry David Thoreau so famous?

Prominent American author Henry David Thoreau is famous for his love of nature, but he cared about some political issues as well. In 1846, Thoreau disagreed with America’s war with Mexico, viewing it as an attempt by the country’s leaders to add more slave territory to the nation.

When was the Boston Tea Party?

The Boston Tea Party – 1773. One of the most famous historical acts of civil disobedience in American history actually took place before our nation was officially a nation. The not-so-festive Boston Tea Party occurred on the evening of December 16, 1773, when a group of rebellious colonists who were fed up with the unfair taxation practices ...

Who was the mother of the Civil Rights Movement?

As a result, Rosa Parks is often referred to as the "mother of the civil rights movement.". The March on Washington – 1963. Officially named the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the civil rights march through the streets of Washington D.C. to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial consisted of approximately 250,000 protesters.

What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Montgomery Bus Boycott – 1955. Most Americans are familiar with the inspirational story of Rosa Parks, an African American woman in Montgomery, Alabama, who went to jail on December 1, 1955, for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. However, they might not know about the momentous event in the Civil Rights Movement ...

When did the Voting Rights Act come into effect?

Four days before the last march, President Lyndon Johnson introduced the voting rights legislation in Congress that was later voted into law as the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Who were the sons of liberty?

A group of prominent patriots known as the Sons of Liberty — John Hancock, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry among them — denounced Britain’s policies on taxation and protested the arrival of three British East India Company ships that were loaded with tea and docked in Griffin’s Wharf in Boston.

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When Was The Iron Age?

Greek Dark Ages

  • Greece had become a major hub of activity and culture on the Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age. The Mycenaean civilization was rich in material wealth from trade. Mycenaeans built large palaces and a society with strict class hierarchy. But around 1200 B.C. Mycenaean Greece collapsed. Greece entered a period of turmoil sometimes called the Greek Dark Ages. Archaeolo…
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Persian Empire

  • During the Iron Age in the Near East, nomadic pastoralists who raised sheep, goats and cattle on the Iranian plateau began to develop a state that would become known as Persia. The Persians established their empire at a time after humans had learned to make steel. Steel weapons were sharper and stronger than earlier bronze or stone weapons. The ancient Persians also fought o…
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Iron Age in Europe

  • Life in Iron Age Europe was primarily rural and agricultural. Iron tools made farming easier. Celtslived across most of Europe during the Iron Age. The Celts were a collection of tribes with origins in central Europe. They lived in small communities or clans and shared a similar language, religious beliefs, traditions and culture. It’s believed tha...
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Iron Age Hill Forts

  • People throughout much of Celtic Europe lived in hill forts during the Iron Age. Walls and ditches surrounded the forts, and warriors defended hill forts against attacks by rival clans. Inside the hill forts, families lived in simple, round houses made of mud and wood with thatched roofs. They grew crops and kept livestock, including goats, sheep, pigs, cows and geese.
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Bog Bodies

  • Hundreds of bog bodiesdating back to the Iron Age have been discovered across Northern Europe. Bog bodies are corpses that have been naturally mummified or preserved in peat bogs. Examples of Iron Age bog bodies include the Tollund Man, found in Denmark, and the Gallagh Man from Ireland. The mysterious bog bodies appear to have at least one thing in common: The…
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Sources

  • Greek Dark Age; Ancient History Encyclopedia. Overview; Iron Age, 800 BC - AD 43; BBC. Bog Bodies of the Iron Age; PBS.
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