The progress of man really started at the time he began to use metals. Until man became the master of metals life was hard, cruel and difficult. Many people seem to think these conditions of life have not changed very much. But do you realize how much easier life is because of metals? Without metals many products we know as common necessities would be impossible, while other items would be very unsatisfactory substitutes by present-day standards.
Without metals our activities would depend on our ability to use wood and stone. Stone axes and hammers may have served the caveman, but they would not meet the needs of skilled craftsmen of today. With only stone and wood available as materials, practically all our modern conveniences would be non-existent. We would not have modern means of transportation--the automobile, ocean liner, train or airplane. Likewise, we would not have modern means of communication--the radio, telephone or television. In fact, we now depend so much on metals it is difficult to think of how we could live without them.
