To be a Blacksmith in the 1850s

 Spent time at Sommer Park in Peoria, IL this afternoon examining Illinois rural life as lived in the 1850s. I was intrigued by the blacksmith and his skill with metal. Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, AND Art can all be taught through watching a blacksmith work. Questions pour from your mind as you stand and admire the skills possessed by this individual........working from no drawn plans.

1. What are you burning? 
2. How do you start the fire?
3. How is the bellows piped to increase the heat?
4. How long is the metal, once red hot, workable?
5. What is the name of the stone platform that holds the fire?
6. Upon what do you hammer the heated metal?
7. When were these first made and how?
8. Where were the first blacksmith's?
9. How do you weld metal?
10. How do you know when its heated enough to work?
11. How do you visualize the finished product?
12. What if you make a mistake?
13. Where did you learn about what metals are best for what products?
14. Where did you learn what metals are easiest to work with and provide greatest strength?
15. How long did you apprentice to learn the trade?