Blacksmithing has one of the most considerable histories when compared to other professions. It is a profession that evolved with time and has contributed immensely to humanity’s survival through these ages. Over the years, some specific blacksmiths contributed to blacksmithing as a profession and society at large. Some famous blacksmiths help the sustainability of the craft through these years.
Many individuals only know blacksmithing as an ancient skill. But it is also essential to understand that many individuals contributed to the development and advancement of the trade. Even those that claim to love blacksmithing don’t know the famous blacksmiths.
Some already made their contributions, while the living ones are still making their contribution to the trade. Do you want to know about some of the greatest blacksmiths in history?
Here is a list of some notable blacksmiths whose contributions have traveled down history lane. These blacksmiths created both functional and artistic pieces that are much admired today.
Lorenz Helmschmied [1450-1515, Augsburg, Germany]
Lorenz is a famous blacksmith in history for being one of the 15th and 16th centuries’ greatest armorers. Since armors are one of the most valuable pieces during this age, Lorenz Helmschmied established himself as one of the best. Despite the low technology at that age, he was able to develop technologically innovative designs and intricate metalworking styles that are still appreciated today. He made a famous helmet named “Sallet helmet” Maximilian I, who was the emperor. This helmet has a personalized fit and a sleek design that is much treasured today in the metropolitan museum of art in New York City.
Simeon Wheelock [1741-1786, Massachusetts, United States]
Simeon is an essential mention on the list of most famous blacksmiths in history because of his extensive military service. He worked as a blacksmith in his shop and spent time serving the military, and he served in many wars, including the Indian war and the French war. He also played a significant role during the battle of Lexington and Concord during the American civil war. Wheelock also died while serving in the militia during shay’s rebellion in 1786. Besides his fame as a blacksmith, Simeon Wheelock is also famous for his pivotal role in many wars. He was a Concord during the American Revolution, and he became a minuteman at Lexington’s battle.
John Fritz [1822-1913, Pennsylvania, United States]
Till today, fritz is still considered the US steel industry’s father because of his pioneer role in ironworking facilities and organizations. He also takes credit for the development of various steel forging techniques and amour plates. He also contributed to the manufacturing of rails, which led to the railroad industry’s boom by inventing more effective strategies. John is one of the earliest blacksmiths to explore steel operation on a large scale.
Tom Joyce [1956-present, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States]
Tome Joyce is one of the modern-day legendary blacksmiths doing a lot to preserve the history and traditions of Blacksmithing. He widely harnessed scrap metals in the manufacture of historical art pieces. Tom Joyce spent a lot of time moving across borders to practice blacksmithing. He works in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Brussels, Belgium. His works are significant for using metal scraps to effectively convey various political, environmental, and historical themes. He is also teaching Blacksmithing in several institutions across Europe and South America.
Brad Silberberg [1953-present, Baltimore, Maryland, USA]
Brad Silberberg is another modern-day blacksmith and one of the most famous blacksmiths in modern age. He started as a wood sculptor but later gained massive popularity in the metalworking industry. Brad Silberberg is one of the few self-taught blacksmiths in history. He learned blacksmith by reading books, and he set up his small workshop in a chicken coop. Brad Silberberg is famous for making jewelry, sculptures, and other decorative arts. Now, he is merging his trade with teaching blacksmithing in Mesa Creative Arts Center, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Yellin [1884-1940, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA]
Born in 1884 in Ukraine, Samuel Yellin started getting familiar with the blacksmithing trade early in his life. He became a blacksmith apprentice at 11 years old and graduated from school at 16 years. He moved with his family to Pennsylvania in 1950, where he continued his blacksmithing education at the Philadelphia school of industrial art. Samuel started his shop in 1909 after graduating and also took up a teaching role in the school. Samuel Yellin is famous for his decorative ironworking. He made a lot of high-end gateways, lighting, and other similar pieces. Some of his works are still available in reputable places like Bryn Mawr College and Bowdoin College.
Thomas Davenport [1802-1851, Vermont, United States]
Thomas Davenport is one of the famous blacksmiths that started his career early. He is famous as an inventor. Thomas Davenport and his first partner, Orange Smalley, purchased an electromagnet. The original use of this electromagnet is to separate iron ores. After a series of experiments, Thomas Davenport and his friend successfully produced rotary motion and made patented electric cars in 1837. He could not push his work to a large scale during his lifetime due to financial constraints. But the significance of Thomas Davenport’s work became famous in the 1900s and is explored for various new-age technologies.
Alexander Winker Biller III [1921-1980, Valdosta, Georgia]
Alexander Winker Biller is one of the famous blacksmiths that contribute immensely to teaching and practicing this historic craft. He practices woodworking and blacksmithing. His practices are similar to the old-time blacksmiths, earning him a spot in the history books. Alexander Winker Biller is particularly famous for his contribution towards blacksmith learning. He is the author of several blacksmithing books, including The Tools That Build America, The Successful Craftsman, and Blacksmithing old ways of working woods. These books are useful for anyone in the blacksmithing trade and those that still intend to start.
Conclusion
Blacksmithing is considered a profession with great history because of the useful contribution of some individuals. These individuals did, and some are still doing a lot to create, preserve, and hand over the history and traditions of blacksmithing to the coming generation.
Aside from those listed above, other notable mentions among the famous blacksmiths include; Yoshino Yoshihara, Brad Silberberg, Jan Liwacz, Thomas Davenport, Alexander Hamilton Willard, Eli Whitney, Joseph Henry, Andre-Marie Ampere of France, Kiyochika kanechama, and so on.