On the 13th August 1913 a Sheffield man Harry Brearley created a steel with 12.8% chromium and 0.24% carbon an invention now widely recognised as the first ever stainless steel. There were a number of other inventions of similar metals in France and Germany around  the same time but Brearleys chemical composition proved be the most corrosion resistant. He called it rustless steel until his friend renamed it as Stainless Steel and their hardening technique meant that their new invention found favour with he local and famous Sheffield cutlery industry.
This invention – Stainless Steel is another example amongst many of a British invention that has become a common place product. Stainless steel is now made throughout the industrialised world. Out of the world total Production of 53 million tons 23% is in wire form. This is understandable as the applications for Stainless Steel wire are many and varied. Large diameter wires are used in building and construction from fencing to suspension bridges. The bright appearance and corrosion resistance of stainless steel wire as well as its strength means that it is a favourite material for modern architecture.
Finer Stainless steel wires are used widely in medical applications particularly as strands for fine cables in catheters and stents dentistry for braces. The multifarious analysis of stainless steel wires means that they can be tailored to the most exacting applications in electrical conductivity particularly where precise resistance is needed for thermal applications.