History of Welding

A Brief History of Welding – How it came to be

Want to forge two pieces of metal together? Nothing works better than welding. This ancient practice involves building structures that are more durable and stronger. Metal becomes soft when the heat is applied, and different metal parts can be fused by the application of sufficient pressure.

Also Explore:-
If you are looking for Printing Service, Fabrication & Welding Service or Design Service you can visit cac.works.

Welding in Ancient Times

Welding has been around since ancient times, and its history goes as far back to the Middle Ages. The metal piece was first heated on a high flame at a very high temperature before they were hammered together. The earliest examples of welding were found from the Bronze Age when small circular boxes of gold were created with pressure welding lap joints together. These boxes are believed to be made more than 2000 years ago. Evidence reveals that Egyptians learned the art of welding iron.

Egyptians and people of the eastern Mediterranean area learned the art of welding iron together during the Iron Age. Numerous tools were found that support the theory, and these tools were assumed to be made in 1000 B.C. The blacksmithing art was developed during the Middle Ages, and several iron items were made through the hammering technique of welding.

It was not until the 19th century that the welding we know today, with its complete gear, protective measures, and a welding helmet, was invented. In the early days, a combination of face masks and goggles was used in welding, and the concept of welding helmet came in the 1930s when the demand for welders increased with the Industrial revolution.

The old methods of welding were later replaced with electric and gas flames that were faster and far safer than other means. The welders today are highly specialized. And use approximately 30 types of welding, utilizing electricity, gas, and laser beams.

Inventor of Welding

As far as the invention of welding is concerned, no one person can take complete credit for it because it has evolved over the years. The earliest evidence of traditional welding goes back to the 1800s. Sir Humphry Davy was the first person to produce an electric arc between two carbon electrodes via using a battery. Later on, in 1836, Edmund Davy discovered acetylene.

It wasn’t until 1881 that true welding came into being, and the credit goes to August De Meritens. August used arc heat to join two lead plates together. His Russian student, Nikolai Benardos, patented a method of welding the electric arc welding with carbon rods. Since that, a rapid increase in the welding processes was witnessed. Also, Nikolai found a way to use the metal electrodes for welding, and later on, C.L. Coffin, an American engineer, following the same pattern discovered an arc welding process utilizing a coated metal electrode which was the originator of shielded metal arc welding.

Modern Welding 

People have found more efficient means for accurate and faster welding since the 19th century. Robotic welding has also emerged as a popular method that is quickly growing. Robotic welding uses computer control for welding the metal with more precision and speed than manual welding.

At the same time, it substantially lessens any risk to human workers. Let’s see what new welding processes will crack on the surface in the coming future.