---
title: Bessemer Converter, Sheffield
author: LHOON
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17210/bessemer-converter-sheffield/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2023-04-17
---
# Bessemer Converter, Sheffield
_Authored by LHOON_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17210.jpg)
## Image Caption
A Bessemer converter in the [Science](https://www.worldhistory.org/science/) Museum, Sheffield, [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/). Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) invented a converter in 1856 during the [Industrial Revolution](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Industrial_Revolution/) that made steel production much cheaper and more reliable. Steel was much stronger, lighter, and more malleable than iron making it the preferred choice of engineers for large projects like bridge building and laying railway tracks. The converter removed impurities from the pig iron by forcing air under high pressure through the molten [metal](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/metal/). A larger convertor could make up to 30 tons of steel in 20 to 30 minutes.
## Cite This Work
### APA
LHOON. (2023, March 20). Bessemer Converter, Sheffield. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
LHOON. "Bessemer Converter, Sheffield." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 20, 2023. .
### MLA
LHOON. "Bessemer Converter, Sheffield." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Mar 2023, .
## License & Copyright
[](https://www.flickr.com/photos/lhoon/328548451/in/photolist-v2U1t-LZMaZ-oeJ3Wb-ouEMuD)This image was first published on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com). [Original image](https://www.flickr.com/photos/lhoon/328548451/in/photolist-v2U1t-LZMaZ-oeJ3Wb-ouEMuD) by [**LHOON**](https://www.flickr.com/photos/lhoon/328548451/in/photolist-v2U1t-LZMaZ-oeJ3Wb-ouEMuD). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 20 March 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.