1945 Homestead Works Turning a Waterwheel Shaft |
1944 Homestead Works Aftermath of Open Hearth Explosion |
1945 Homestead Works Women in Wartime Production |
Industrial Pittsburgh "The Real Men of Steel" |
ABOUT THESE PHOTOS: These photos were donated to the SteelCactus Foundation by Douglas Haney. Photos restored by the SteelCactus Foundation |
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1944 Homestead Works Making a Pour |
THE WAR YEARS |
1944 Homestead Works - 12,000 Ton Press |
During the course of World War II, Pennsylvania supplied 31 percent of America's steel and 20 percent of worldwide production, a phenomenal accomplishment. The state was also the country's leading supplier of Portland cement. Though the state's oil production had declined–it had led the nation into the early 1900sâ €“Pennsylvania produced the nation's highest quality of vital lubricating oil and its refineries churned out millions of gallons of 100-octane gasoline, a necessity for modern aircraft engines. Agricultural production also rose, as farmers pitched in to help the war effort. The state's industrial output was staggering. Existing factories retooled to make a variety of weapons, vehicles, aircraft, and parts. The state's contribution to the war effort ranged from battleships and tanks to torpedoes, bombs, and rations. The Sun Shipbuilding Company in Chester constructed 281 T-2 tanker oil carriers, nearly 40 percent of all the tankers built during the war. The American Bantam Car Co. in Butler, PA designed and produced the first jeeps. Led by steel, industries in Pittsburgh produced a broad range of material for the war effort. The Dravo Corporation built the new class of attack landing craft that made possible the successful Allied invasions in Italy, Normandy, and all the major island campaigns in the Pacific. The Pittsburgh Grease Plant manufactured the waterproof grease vital for successful amphibious operations in France and the Pacific. Aircraft motors, rayon for parachutes, armor plate for warships, reconnaissance aircraft, compasses, radio crystals-Pennsylvania industry supplied it all. Women also left their homes in large numbers to work in factories alongside men. By 1945, more than one-third of the entire work force was composed of women. Rosie the Riveter became a national icon, while WASP pilot Helen Richey and other women garnered headlines by serving in all branches of the armed forces. |
1944 Homestead Works - 160 Inch Mill |
They demolished an 8 block section of Homestead during WWII to expand the armor plate mill. The 12,000 ton Forging Press at Homestead was left standing when they demolished the mill. It still sits behind Lowe's Home Store at the Waterfront. It was used to make and bend 18" armor plate for battleships during the war. |