[Anon.], ‘Sheffield Contributions to the World’s Fair’, Illustrated Exhibitor ([1852])

Few objects excite more attention among foreigners than the displays of our hardware and cutlery; and not the least attractive group in the western nave is the case of Messrs. The heat and light reflecting stove of Messrs. Jobson and Co. occupy a miniature parlour in the department of Sheffield goods. The claim of India to the discovery of the manufacture of steel appears therefore unquestionable – a discovery, the people may add, which has exercised more influence on the arts conducive to civilisation and manufacturing industry, than any other within the whole range of human inventions. The accompanying engravings convey a good notion of how the clay is prepared for making the crucibles. Files are still made by hand, although various ingenious machines have from time to time been devised to supersede manual labour in a department of Sheffield trade.