Tinplate: An Outline History
C. Northcote Parkinson traces the development of the tin mining and plating processes, from Chinese joss-sticks, to the modern tin can.
The history of tin has always been closely connected with the history of war. Tin was an element, with copper, in the bronze weapons of 3500 B.C.
A proportion of tin, 8 to 14 per cent, went into gun-metal, of which all ordnance used to be made until the invention of the rifled steel barrel used in modern artillery.
The price of tin in modern times has fluctuated with periods of war and peace, rising to peaks in 1810,1856, 1872,1900, 1917 and 1947-50.
Tin has been listed as one of the twenty-three metals and minerals vital in time of war. As an alloy it helps to form marine propeller blades, aircraft engines and gun-parts.
But it has other and more peaceful uses. About 7.5 pounds of tin go into the manufacture of the average car. Bronze, with a tin percentage of up to 33 per cent, is used for such things as reflectors and bearings.
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