I finally got to see the old forge at the Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska.

The hand-cranked blower system they had set up was still fully working, which really made me think about how much effort went into every heat. Has anyone else visited a historic shop that gave you a new respect for the basics?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse_craig261mo ago

Visited a blacksmith shop at a local fair last year. Honestly, watching them work that bellows by hand completely changed how I see every piece of old iron. Makes you realize how much skill was in the simple stuff.

michael_bennett111mo agoMost Upvoted

My grandpa said they could tell a smith's skill by the fire's color.

angela_allen5326d ago

The bellows thing gets me too, but actually they didn't always pump them by hand. Some old shops had water-powered bellows or even a big wheel that did the work. Still takes a ton of skill though, no doubt about it.