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		A Brief History of MSE Welcome to the wonderful world of materials and their impact on the evolution of mankind! Materials have been the milestones of progress. All civilizations have been categorized by the materials they used; the Stone Age, The Broze Age, etc. Some of these periods in history lasted centuries but in recent times both the rate of major materials breakthroughs and their improvements are increasing ever faster. New concepts are being introduced in months rather than decades or centuries. Materials: The Milestones of Progress Flint, the magic stone, easily shaped for tools -beginning of ceramics. Flint: The Magic Stone Photo source Native gold and copper used for tools and weapons - introduction of metals. Native gold and copper Photo source Introduction of fire and hammering of copper to change properties - introduction of materials processing. Melting and casting of metals introduced - materials processing and shaping. The earliest known metal object cast in a mold - a copper mace head. Photo source Reduction of copper from its ore - dawn of metallurgy.   This Egyptian tomb painting is one of the earliest records of metal working. Photo source Bronze in use - combination of elements to make alloys. Broze: the first alloy Photo source Discovery of iron making. Iron wheels Photo source Blast Furnace invented for making iron - entered era of making iron. Cheaper iron production Photo source More about the History of MSE Site related questions or comments? Contact crc@tms.org last modified: