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The Peculiar Productivity History of American Blast Furnaces, 1840–1913

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  • Allen, Robert C.

Abstract

This paper measures the growth and relative levels of total factor productivity in the American, British, French, Belgian, and German mineral fuel pig iron industries from 1840 to 1909. The American history was peculiar in that there was little productivity growth betwen 1840 and 1870 and then rapid growth until 1890. Regression models are developed to identify the techniques responsible for the American advance. Much of the American experience is explained by changes in the composition of the available iron ores. An assessment of the international transferability of late-nineteenth-century blast furnace technology is offered.

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  • Allen, Robert C., 1977. "The Peculiar Productivity History of American Blast Furnaces, 1840–1913," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 37(3), pages 605-633, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:37:y:1977:i:03:p:605-633_09
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    Cited by:

    1. Kris Inwood & Ian Keay, 2013. "Trade policy and industrial development: iron and steel in a small open economy, 18701913," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 46(4), pages 1265-1294, November.
    2. Madureira, Nuno Luis, 2012. "The iron industry energy transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 24-34.
    3. Robert C. Allen, 2021. "The Interplay among Wages, Technology, and Globalization: The Labour Market and Inequality, 1620-2020," Working Papers 20210065, New York University Abu Dhabi, Department of Social Science, revised Jun 2021.
    4. Irwin, Douglas A., 2000. "Could the United States Iron Industry Have Survived Free Trade after the Civil War?," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 278-299, July.

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