The Association goes back to 1875 when it was a Horseshoers Association. In 1895 the Horseshoers and Blacksmiths joined together to form one association. From 1898 to 1957 they published the "American Ironsmith"- which for many years was recognized as the "oldest metalsmith publication in the world".
On July 25, 1892, in Cleveland, Ohio, the National Blacksmiths and Weldors Association was chartered. The Association is presently incorporated in the State of Iowa as a non-profit organization. Approximately twenty-five states are represented in its membership - although the largest numbers come from the mid-western states of Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Each state is represented by one director for each fifteen national members. President, first and second Vice Presidents, newsletter editor and information director are elected from the list of directors. The president appoints his own Secretary-Treasurer to serve with him.

The National Blacksmiths and Weldors Assn., Inc. is not a union, it has no intention to dictate rates or policy to its members. The Association is fraternal in nature - offering friendship, suggestions and a helping hand to fellow craftsmen. Their membership includes craftsmen who are qualified to cut, bend, shape, weld, and repair all metals - "black" iron, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, bronze, cast metals - even the exotic new space-age materials.

The members of the National Blacksmiths and Weldors Association, Inc. are proud of their trade and personal skills - they are Blacksmiths - one of American's elite group.

THE MODERN BLACKSMITH

The proverb - "By the hammer and hand all arts do stand" sums up a great deal of information concerning the mechanics of today. If we trace any industry or profession back to its origin, we find that both the hammer and hand have had much to do with establishing and maintaining it thru the years. Today's craftsmen have progressed beyond the forge, bellows, and anvil, although these tools are still found in many modern shops today.

The blacksmith trade today is much more than just working with the black iron of our ancestors. Today's craft requires a knowledge of steel strengths, design stresses, drawing and reading of blueprints, the understanding of design and application of hydraulic power. Some common terms used today are: R.P.M., Horse Power, AC-DC., P.S.I., F.P.M., footpounds of torque, B. T. U., AMPS, volts, etc.

The blacksmith of today must have considerable education along many lines of endeavor. He must have a good basic education in mechanics, industrial arts, design, engineering, electricity, business and accounting - plus common sense and a little genius to solve the problems of today's modern blacksmith. First and foremost, he must have the natural aptitude for the trade - and be qualified at the trade.