Sheffield Steel Industry - FactFile

• In 2008, Sheffield was ranked in the top 10 UK cities as a business location

• The population of Sheffield increased from 70,000 in 1801 to almost 600,000 in 1951

• A major Sheffield steel invention was that of stainless steel by Harry Brearley in 1912

• The Sheffield Assay Office, which opened in 1773, stamps precious metals with the citys crown work 

• The company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was created in 1624 to promote the steel industry around the globe.

• By 1977 output had fallen to 20 million tonnes (3% of the world total)

• By 1979, British steel workers were third less productive than their French competitors and 40% less productive than West German Steel workers
• In the fiscal year 1978-1979 British Steel lost £309 million