Construction of First Pittsburgh Blast Furnace

Background. A blast furnace is a metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally pig iron. The term is usually limited to those used for smelting iron ore. In a blast furnace, fuel, ores, and flux are supplied through the top, while hot air is blown into the lower section through tuyeres, causing chemical reactions as material falls downward.

Construction Details. The specific details of George Anschutz's construction of the first Pittsburgh blast furnace are not supported by the supplied passages. The passages describe general blast furnace construction, such as tall structures lined with refractory brick, but do not link these general descriptions to Anschutz or the specific Pittsburgh event.

Historical Context. The supplied passages discuss the history of blast furnaces in China, Russia, and the US generally, noting that charcoal was cheaper than coke in many areas. However, they do not provide specific information about the first blast furnace in Pittsburgh or George Anschutz's role in its construction.