Metal Of The Future, For More Than 85 Years (NAPSA)—Inthe musical Annie, the orphansaretold to scrub the floor until it “shines like the top of the Chrysler Building.” There’s a reason that this landmark, erected in 1930, continues to glisten today. Then: In 1913, British metallurgist Harry Brearley was experimenting with alloys for rifle bar- rels. He was attempting to concoct corrosion-resistant materials and happened upon one that was resistant to vinegar. It occurred to Brearley that such a metal would be perfect for cutlery, and he set about convincing people that his “stainless steel” was the metal of the future. The new material was quickly adapted to World WarI fighter planes, making the exhaust valves of Sopwith Camels both reliable and classy. From there, stainless steel made appearances in St. Paul’s Cathedral, Rolls Royces, the S.S. Queen Mary and the top portion of the Chrysler Building in New York City. Now: Today, stainless steel appears in a variety of products and applications. The aerospace and automotive industries continue to rely on stainless steel’s corrosion resistance andability to withstand temperatures from above boiling to below freezing. Expanding on the ideas of their predecessors, building and residential architects continue to exploit the natural beauty and workhorse quality of stainless steel by finding creative ways to use it on the exterior of buildings and homes as well as incorporating it into interesting interior Though developed for use in the kitchen, stainless steel has manyother applications. applications. And Brearley’s metal of the future continues to be just that. It has quickly adapted itself to the new world of high technology and wireless communications. Stainless steel can be found in computer diskettes, fiberoptics, and numerous other new age applications. Lately, home kitchens have been following the lead of the professionals. Just about any cookware is available in stainless steel. From blendersto trash cans to bread boxes to toasters, there is a shiny version of just about any kitchen item. To learn more about stainless steel, visit the Web site at www.ssina.com or to receive a free copy of the Designer Handbook: Stainless Steel for Residential Applications, write: Specialty Steel Industry of North America, 3050 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007; call: 800-982-0355.
