Shot Peening - History

Author:  Hawkinson, E.
Source:  SAE ISTC Divison 20, May 1962
Doc ID:  1962004
Year of Publication:  1962
Abstract:  
Man since earliest times has endeavored to improve the materials he uses for his daily needs. Through each period of history his armor, weapons, tools and vehicles constantly required improvement in order to protect himself and provide for his needs more effectively. The cold hammering of metal by the early armorer, metal craftsman and skilled blacksmith was an art. The shields, breast plates, spear heads, knives and swords were harder and stronger because of cold hammering. Today the process is no longer an art but a controlled mechanical process, originally called "shot blasting" by Zimmerli and later termed "Shot peening" by Almen.