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The history of welding can actually be traced back several millennia – yes, millennia, not just centuries! The earliest examples of welding are from the Bronze Age in Europe, and the Iron Age in the Middle East. Glaucus of Chois is credited as being the “man who single-handedly invented iron welding” back in the 5th Century BC.
Our ancestors have done some impressive construction work, too. Back in 310AD the Iron Pillar in Delhi, India was constructed. The pillar is still standing today. When you consider it weighs more than five tons, and they did it without any of the welding equipment that we have today, and certainly not a powerful welding positioner, it makes you wonder what they would have achieved if they’d applied their ingenuity to the use of modern tools!
Modern Welding
Arc welding wasn’t invented until the early 19th century, when Vasily Petrov discovered the electric arc. Over the next 100 years, several leaps were made in terms of welding equipment, with coated metal electrodes being introduced to the welding industry in 1900.
The biggest leap came in 1836, however, when acetylene was discovered. However, it didn’t become practical for use by welders until 1900.
World War I
Welding played a huge role in the production of almost everything – from ships to airplanes – used during World War I. The British produced a ship with an almost entirely arc-welded hull! World War II also saw a lot of arc-welding being done.
Post War Developments
During the 1950s, shielded metal arc welding was developed, and some new welding methods were tested. Electroslag welding was introduced in the late 50s, along with electron beam welding, and in the early 60s electrogas welding was introduced.
There are many different welding processes available now. Older welding techniques such as arc welding, and acetylene welding are still popular for certain materials, which is a testament to the wisdom of the inventors.
However, the other materials and processes are important for working with very thick metals, or for sensitive applications.
Safety
Welding can be a dangerous job. The risk of burns is quite significant, and looking at the white-hot areas of the weld can cause retina damage. There is also the risk of inhaling dangerous fumes, especially when doing flux-cored arc welding. Proper ventilation, and the use of proper safety equipment such as gloves, jackets, helmets, and shields, is vital when working with welding equipment. In addition to welding related safety issues, there are the risks associated with working with heavy equipment to be considered too.
In recent years, little has changed in the welding industry – at least compared to the quantum leaps of the last century or so. The main innovations have been in terms of computer-controlled welding, and improvements in safety processes.
Someone learning to weld today would need to know their way around assistance devices such as a welding positioner, and would need to know the welding processes and welding equipment required for different applications, but beyond that knowledge, the same skills used in World War I are still applicable today.