Birdsboro Steel

Birdsboro Steel (officially known as Birdsboro Iron Foundry Co, E&G Brooke Iron Co, Birdsboro Steel Foundry and Machine Co, and finally Birdsboro Corp) was an American producer of steel, machines, and machine parts based in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. The company also produced munitions, tanks, and artillery in the late 1940s through their subsidiary company, Armorcast. Though the company wasn't officially established until around 1867, the roots of the company go as far back as 1740

The roots of the company go as far back as 1740 when William Bird (whom had worked as an apprentice at Colebrookdale Furnace near Boyertown) bought land along the Hay Creek and Schuylkill River. It was around these sites he would erect his first forges, Birdsborough Forge (where modern Birdsboro stands), and the New Pine Forges. Bird would also build the Berkshire Furnace (also known as the Roxborough Furnace) near modern Wernersville as well as a few other forges along the Hay and Six Penny Creeks. After the death of William, his son, Mark, took over and would build up the forges into important iron producers in Colonial America. in 1771, Mark erected Hopewell Furnace along the French Creek. Hopewell, along with the Birds' other forges would manufacturer munitions and armaments such as, cannons, cannonballs, and muskets during the onset of the American Revolution. After the war the forges began to go through financial problems which led to the Birds being forced to sell their assets to the Brookes, whom of which would be in charge all the way until being organized as Birdsboro Iron Foundry Co. and E&G Brooke Iron Co.