[TheForge] Really dangerous questions

[theforge@mailman.qth.net]

In a message dated 02-04-29 21:14:40 EDT, you write:

<< Ok when did hand crank blowers come in?>>

Sometime after the War between the States, and the turn of the 20th century.  
I personally lean closer to 1900, but have been wrong before.
 
 <<When did the smiths start using coal in place of charcoal in the IN., IL.,
 and WI. area?>>

There are accounts of smiths burning charcoal piles (making the charcoal, for 
those who can't translate Jerry-ese) in the streets of Bethlehem (now Carmel) 
Indiana during the first half of the 20th century.  Cant' get anymore 
specific than that, my brain has gotten fuzzy in the 10 years since I escaped 
from, er, left there.
 
 <<and what would the "power hammers" of the about 1850 look like. >>

Between 5'6", and 6', and young.