As the founding father of Sheffield's stainless steel turns 150 we take a look back at the life of Harry Brearley

Harry Brearley was born February 18, 1871 meaning that Thursday would have been his 150th birthday so we are taking a look back at the Sheffield man who found a solution that helped soldiers fight in the First World War and changed the way steel was made made forever.

In the troubled years immediately before the First World War, arms manufacturing increased significantly in the UK, but practical problems were encountered due to erosion of the internal surfaces of gun barrels.

Harry Brearley began to research new steels which could better resist the erosion caused by high temperatures (rather than corrosion, as is often mentioned in this regard). He began to examine the addition of chromium to steel, which was known to raise the material's melting point, as compared to the standard carbon steels and in doing so invented stainless steel or rustless steel as he called it.

The more euphonic "stainless steel" was suggested by Ernest Stuart of R.F. Mosley's, a local cutlery manufacturer at Portland Works, and eventually prevailed although Mosley's used the "Rusnorstain" trademark for many years. It is reported the first true stainless steel was produced by Harry in an electric furnace on 13 August 1913. He was subsequently awarded the Iron and Steel Institute's Bessemer Gold Medal in 1920.

These pictures take a look back at his life and the memorials around the city.

Have you joined The Star’s new retro Facebook group full of memories and nostalgia from across the city? Click here to find it

A message from the Editor:

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 and 2021 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.