Megabytes for metals: development of computer applications in the iron and steel industry

The steel industry pioneered the use of computers for process control. By the mid 1960s, almost a fifth of the world's process control computers were installed in the steel industry. The present paper documents the development of direct digital control with emphasis on hot strip mill control, notably the installation at Llanwern using a GE 412 computer. Early applications of computers in areas such as electric arc furnace control and order handling are identified. Archive sources, government documents, interviews, correspondence and technical papers show the leading role of steel in developing online control. Marked differences in adoption rates are identified. Two-thirds of the early steel installations were in the USA. Britain and Italy were also early adopters. Jones & Laughlin and Inland of the USA, the Steel Company of Wales and Italsider were among the leading innovators.