| Stainless Steel is more than just steel that | | | | spectacular. Not only was the steel resistant |
| doesn't stain! It is an umbrella term that | | | | to corrosion, it did not even stain. |
| covers various types of steel that are | | | | |
| resistant to corrosion. There are at least | | | | Brearley realised that this new mix would be |
| two claims to the title of inventor, one from | | | | ideal for a much wider range of products than |
| the UK and one from Sweden. The most likely | | | | just rifles, especially goods where staining |
| inventor is Harry Brearley, the son of a | | | | and corrosion were big problems. One such |
| steel melter. Harry, who was born in | | | | product area was cutlery. At first Harry's |
| Sheffield in 1871, studied the properties of | | | | bosses did not see the potential, in fact, |
| steel and the effects that various production | | | | not until he personally arranged for a |
| processes had on it. | | | | cutler, R.F. Mosley, to produce some knives. |
| | | | The manager of Mosley, Ernest Stuart, |
| In 1908, two large steel firms set up a | | | | referred to the knives as "stainless" and the |
| research company called Brown Firth | | | | term has stuck ever since. Up until the |
| Laboratories and asked Harry to head it up. | | | | introduction of stainless steel, cutlery and |
| It's job would be to improve production | | | | other steel products had to be constantly |
| processes. One of the problems he was asked | | | | cleaned and dried thoroughly in order prevent |
| to solve was the erosion of rifle barrels | | | | rust corrosion. |
| through the effects of heat and discharge | | | | |
| gasses. | | | | Ever since, stainless steel has stood for |
| | | | robustness, longevity and hygiene. A good |
| Brearley's experiments centred on the | | | | example is the SE22 Insectocutor fly killer |
| addition of chromium and carbon. Steels with | | | | machine. The stainless steel construction |
| chromium as an ingredient tended to have a | | | | represents high quality and is particularly |
| higher melting point and this suggested that | | | | appropriate to such a top range product as |
| chromium may also produce a more robust and | | | | this. Insectocutor has led the way in fly |
| corrosion-resistant steel. After some trial | | | | killing technology since the 60's. Inferior |
| and error, in 1913 he produced a steel with a | | | | plastic products have come and gone but the |
| 12.8% chromium content along with 0.24% | | | | solid steel machines of Insectocutor have |
| carbon. | | | | always proved to be supremely robust and |
| | | | reliable. The use of stainless steel for |
| He subjected the samples that were produced | | | | models such as the SE22 further distinguishes |
| to various chemicals, including acid that | | | | the Insectocutor offer compared to the |
| would corrode standard steel along with | | | | plastic alternatives, such is the quality of |
| vinegar and citrus juice. The results were | | | | stainless steel. Thank you Harry! |