The Blacksmith
Iron Ore
A blacksmith works with iron. This iron is mined from underground and looks like this when it first comes out of the ground.
Tools of the Trade
The iron must be heated very hot by sticking it in a fire called a forge . Blacksmiths use tongs like this to be able to put the iron they are working on into the fire without burning their hands. They control the heat of the fire using a bellows, which pushes air into the fire. Small bellows like this one would be used in homes to control the fire in a hearth or fireplace.
A blacksmith shop might have looked something like this when in action.
As shown in those images, the blacksmith then hammers the heated iron into the desired shape on an anvil. A beak iron can be used to shape iron in a circle.
Some of the many objects a blacksmith would make include:
Axe heads, like this goosewing axe head, attributed to Luke Miller, a Madison blacksmith. Horseshoes, to protect the feet of horses. Irons. Like modern irons, these were used to smooth the wrinkles out of clothes. S Hooks, which had many uses, including a way to hang pots over an open hearth for cooking.
