How Iron and Steel Were Smelted
How Iron and Steel Were Smelted — an illustrated inventions story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.
Page 1
Meera skipped through the forest, her worn leather notebook bouncing against her side. Squirrels wearing spectacles perched on toadstools, reading oversized books. "Priya, look!" she exclaimed, pointing at a family of hedgehogs arguing over a newspaper. "I wonder how they even make newspapers!"
Page 2
Priya chuckled. "Well, somebody has to print the words, right? But before printing, they need something to print on! Where does paper come from? What about the ink?" Meera's eyes widened. "And what about the machines that print everything?" she asked, practically buzzing with curiosity. "I need to check my Invention Encyclopedia!"
Page 3
Racing back to her treehouse bedroom, Meera flung open her glowing Invention Encyclopedia. A wave of shimmering light erupted, swirling around the room. She grabbed Priya's hand. "Hold on tight!" she yelled, just as the room dissolved into a kaleidoscope of colors. "I can't wait to learn the full story of ink, paper, and printing!"
Page 4
They landed with a thump in a smoky workshop. Sparks flew as a burly man hammered at a glowing piece of metal. "Where are we?" Priya coughed, waving away the smoke. "And what is that smell?" she asked, scrunching up her nose.
Page 5
"1709, Coalbrookdale, England," a voice boomed. The blacksmith, Abraham Darby, wiped sweat from his brow. "I'm about to change the world, little ones!" he exclaimed, gesturing to the furnace. "I'm smelting iron with coke instead of charcoal!"
Page 6
Meera tilted her head. "Coke? What's the big deal about that?" she asked Abraham Darby. "Before I understood the process, I was really just muddling about. But once I understood it, it all came together like a charm!" Priya consulted her notebook. "I know! Charcoal is made from wood, so we are cutting down the forests!"
Page 7
"Exactly!" Abraham Darby said. "And coke, made from coal, is much more plentiful. This means we can make much more iron! I see so much potential in this!" Priya scribbled furiously. "So, more iron means more machines, more tools, more everything!"
Page 8
"Indeed!" Abraham Darby exclaimed. "'The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' as the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said. This is my step toward a future of abundant iron and steel, which opens up so many doors. I see possibilities!" He picked up a freshly cast iron pot. "See this? Cheaper cookware for everyone!"
Page 9
Suddenly, the workshop dissolved, and they were back in Meera's treehouse. "Wow!" Meera breathed. "Abraham Darby's invention made iron cheaper and easier to get. That means more buildings and more machines!" Priya closed her notebook, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Think of all the skyscrapers and cars that wouldn't exist without it!"
Page 10
Meera grinned. "The world before steel was a very different place! I'm so glad he was able to create what is now one of the world's most used and produced materials!" she stated happily. "And what about all the paper and ink that he helped to make possible?", Priya asked. "Let's go tell Salma about Abraham Darby!"
About this story
- Location: United States
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
Read Wonder Inventions on your phone
Wonder Inventions is available on Android. Get Wonder Inventions on Google Play.