HARRY Brearley is a Sheffield legend and should be recognised on the Walk Of Fame outside the Town Hall.
So says social historian Ron Clayton who believes Sheffield's steel-making heritage is in danger of being 'air-brushed' out of history.
The man who created stainless steel is remembered only by historians and enthusiasts as are many of the giants
of the steel, silver and cutlery industries that gave Sheffield a worldwide reputation for excellence.
"Harry Brearley is a true Sheffield legend," said Ron Clayton.
"There's nothing wrong with having footballers and entertainers honoured there, Derek Dooley did something that no-one else will ever do the way he united the football fans of the city.
"But there is more to this city than that.
"Men like Harry Brearley are what made the city. We are in danger of air-brushing them away with all the talk of Sheffield being a retail centre and a world class city.
"What do they mean? Firth and Brown and men like Harry Brearley made Sheffield a world class city in the 19th century.
"It's a mucky and grimy past but it's what the city was made on and we should be proud of it and the talented men who made it possible. Men like Henry Bessemer, Mark Firth and the Vickers family.
"That was a city that smelled of cutting oils and swarf, it might have been a mucky old place but it had a heart. These people would be getting Nobel Prizes these days but we are forgetting all about them."
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