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Henry Bessemer

Definition

Henry Bessemer was an English inventor who created a new process for making steel from iron in 1856 known as the Bessemer Process.

Analogy

Think of Bessemer as the person who invented a super-efficient recipe for baking cookies (steel) using common ingredients (iron), which made it possible for everyone to enjoy cookies at a much lower cost!

Related terms

Bessemer Process: This refers to the method developed by Henry Bessemer for cheaply converting iron into steel by blasting air through molten iron to burn off impurities.

Industrial Revolution: A period of major industrialization that took place during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The invention of processes like the one created by Bessemer significantly contributed to this era.

Steel Industry: An economic sector that produces steel — an alloy of iron and carbon. The industry is often considered an indicator of economic progress because of its role in infrastructural and technological development.

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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.