In 1740, Benjamin Huntsman perfected the crucible steel process in Sheffield, England, allowing for the production of high-quality steel. This method involved melting blister steel in a crucible, resulting in a uniform and durable material suitable for fine tools and clock springs. Huntsman's innovation marked a significant advancement in metallurgy, contributing to the Industrial Revolution and transforming various industries reliant on high-grade steel.

Gave rise to Sheffield's identity as a smoky steel hub, inspiring early working-class protest poetry and local 'industry verses' that grappled with the forge aesthetic. Poets like Edward Carpenter and other labor poets captured the struggles and aspirations of the working class against the backdrop of industrialization.