Historians Call for Renaming of Cort Ironworks Process
Historians are advocating for a significant change in the historical narrative surrounding Britain’s role in the Industrial Revolution. The innovation that propelled Britain to become the world’s leading exporter of iron during the period from 1760 to 1840, known as the Cort Process, is now subject to scrutiny. Recent research suggests that this groundbreaking technology was actually developed by a group of black Jamaican metallurgists based in Morant Bay, St. Thomas.
The Cort Process was named after Henry Cort, who took credit for conceptualizing the revolutionary technique. However, an investigation into correspondence, shipping records, and contemporary newspaper reports has uncovered evidence that it was actually 76 black Jamaican workers at an ironworks near Morant Bay who first developed the innovation.
In light of these findings, some notable figures are calling for the renaming of the Cort Process to honor the true inventors. Professor Pash Obeng, Chairman of the Governing Council for the African University College of Communications and CEO of the Pan African Heritage Museum, asserts that Cort’s name should be removed from the history books. He believes that renaming the process after the Jamaican innovators would be a crucial step in rectifying the historical record.
The records identify several workers who contributed to the innovation, including Devonshire, Mingo, Mingo’s son, Friday, Captain Jack, Matt, George, Jemmy, Jackson, Will, Bob, Guy, Kofi, and Kwasi. Professor Obeng suggests that recognizing these individuals as the pioneers they were would play a vital role in correcting historical inaccuracies.
Steven Golding, President of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, echoes Professor Obeng’s sentiments. During an interview on Nationwide at Five, hosted by Tyrone Reid and Sayeed Bernard, Golding expressed his support for renaming the innovation in order to acknowledge the true inventors.
This call for renaming the Cort Ironworks Process highlights the need to revisit and revise historical narratives that have marginalized and omitted the contributions of marginalized communities. It is a step toward a more inclusive and accurate representation of history. By recognizing the expertise and ingenuity of the Jamaican metallurgists, we can begin to rectify the injustices of the past.
As this debate continues, it is essential to maintain a balanced perspective and consider the various viewpoints surrounding this issue. Ultimately, the objective is to present a fair and accurate depiction of history, one that recognizes the contributions of all individuals, regardless of their background.
In conclusion, the push to rename the Cort Ironworks Process is gaining momentum among historians and advocates for a more inclusive historical record. The innovation that shaped Britain’s dominance in iron exporting during the Industrial Revolution is now attributed to the black Jamaican metallurgists based in Morant Bay. Renaming the process after these individuals would serve as a significant step in rectifying historical inaccuracies and acknowledging their invaluable contributions. As this conversation progresses, it is crucial to maintain a balanced perspective in order to create a more inclusive narrative of history.
