Blacksmiths worked with black metals like iron and steel. There were also tinsmiths, pewter smiths, silversmiths, and goldsmiths that worked with other kinds of metals.

Jeremiah Elfreth was a blacksmith here in the city and he lived and worked along 2nd Street. He also owned many of the homes in the area and rented them to other tradespeople. Today, Elfreth's Alley is named after him.

Blacksmiths used a special fireplace called a forge to heat the metal to a temperature hot enough so that it could bend and be shaped. The metal needs to reach a temperature of about 2000 degrees.

Blacksmiths created just about everything out of metal that was needed. They made hinges, locks, horseshoes, tools and goods for use by other tradesmen.

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