In which decade did sheet metal craftsmen begin to use welding?

• A. 1920s
• B. 1930s
• C. 1940s
• D. 1950s

Answer: (B)

Welding became a practical method for joining sheet metal in the 1930s. While early experiments with arc welding existed in the previous decade, affordable equipment, better technique, and the rise of electrical welding machines in the 1930s made welding a reliable and common method for sheet metal joints. This opened up faster fabrication and stronger joints compared with riveting or soldering, paving the way for widespread use in shops and trades. Later decades saw even broader adoption, but the shift to regular welding practice for sheet metal work begins in the 1930s.