This one original steam engine powered an entire factory of over 100 workmen.

This one vice clamp was along a line of about 15. Many workmen had this view all day.

Dies and machines were engineered in-house to limit outsourcing.

Solingen was among the first to use die forging techniques to manufacture forged tools in large quantities. Some 2,000 scissors per forge hammer could be made daily this way.

Before electric motors factories were driven by one water wheel, steam engine, or diesel engine with drive shafts and belts traversing the entire factory to power individual machines.

Scissors were a large export from Solingen along with swords and knives. Up to the 1960s Germany produced 60% of the cutlery worldwide, and of that 70% was produced in Solingen.

Rolling hills and valleys with Solingen downtown in the distance.

The urban city center pictured here was the historical center of town. A map in the city archives detailed the first ring of houses once placed here.

The more urban part of Solingen. An excellent transit system spans the whole town, but walking is best. The whole town may be walked across in about two hours.

Very fine set of forged scissors.