Archive for December, 2011

A brief history of Metal Working

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Since the growth and development of civilization, people continually learn how to complete tasks. Within our drive to survive, we, as humans, allow us several objects which help to create life easier. More complex objects include computers, telephones and automobiles. Simple tools include forks, screw drivers and widgets. All of these objects are created from some type of metal. The introduction of metal and also the art of forming metal came quite a distance over the years.

Prior to the discovery of metal, people used simple tools made out of bone and wood. Soon, however, fire was discovered and eventually ancient humans learned that adding heat to particular rocks, more accurately referred to as ores, could free the metal from the rock. Using the discovery of fire, eventually evolved the skill of extracting and smelting metals, and forming them into usable objects. This type of practice is commonly referred to as metal working.

During early historical periods, precious metals had value mounted on them. Metalworkers, therefore, used the metal to make religious artifacts, jewelry, keepsake items, tools for specific trades and weapons. Metals were formed by artisans, blacksmiths, atharvavedic practitioners, and alchemists. These metalworkers became increasingly essential as time past and metal became more necessary.

Metalworkers were considered to be very valuable people in early societies. As more items and tools began to be made from metals, more and more people were needed who have been skilled within the craft of metal working. These so called metalsmiths were essential for maintaining the economic stability of a civilization. Objects made from metal were necessary for industry, farming, jewelry making and defense purposes. Involve metal items led to making the metalworker and invaluable member of society.

Today, the skill of dealing with metal provides several occupations and trades. Lots of people specialize in forming and shaping metal. Techniques have definitely changed for thousands of years and much of the forming of metal is performed by machines. For instance, the technique of roll forming is finished by using quality roll forming equipment. Roll forming is really a technique accustomed to bend an extended strip of metal into a specified cross-section. A roll forming machine includes several consecutive rolls that continuously bend the metal into shape. Each set of rolls, also called strands, only bend a small sector of the metal. The metal is past through the roll forming machine until it meets the specifications.

A brief history Behind Billabong

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

Who is Billabong?

Billabong is one of the leading brands within the surfing industry dating back to the 1970s. In any surf or beach shop Billabong is a the brands you will always find. They have a product range from board shorts, to bags, to bikinis, to jeans plus much more.

Who founded Billabong?

Billabong was founded by Australian surfer Gordon Merchant and his wife Rena Merchant. They started designing and making their first board short in their home around the East Coast of Australia and sold these phones local surf shops.

The uniqueness which set Billabong apart from other board shorts which were available was the famous triple-stitching technique produced by Gordon, which made the board short far more durable.

Where did the name Billabong originate from?

The name Billabong can be split up into 2 parts, billa and bong. ‘Billa’ is an Australian word meaning river or creek and the word ‘bong’, means ‘to die’. Therefore the definition of the two together means ‘an section of water from the river or creek that’s stagnant and no longing running’.

The logo for Billabong shows 2 waves that aren’t running together and therefore are motionless. They choose the name due to the uniqueness to Australia and the aboriginal meaning of an oasis.

How did Billabong become a global success?

From the success Billabong experienced in their newbie they opened their first factory in 1975. Every year they produced their merchandise and increased sales and gone to live in larger premises, in 1981 they reached the milestone of $1 million in annual sales. They started to sponsor the World Final Surfing Contest (the largest surfing competition still today occur Hawaii). This gave Billabong the international recognition they were after and began exporting to Japan, america, Nz and much more. Came from here the company and also the sales grew to what it’s known today, among the leading names in the surfing industry.