1893 - Ferdinand Allard.

Ferdinand Allard has rediscovered the lost art of hardening copper. He was born at Cap Sante, Que., seventy-six years ago, and has worked at the blacksmithing trade for fifty years. He was in such doubt about his discovery that he hesitated to declare it until every possible test had been applied, but razors, ax edges and the finest knife blades have been made from his product, and Professor Laflumme, of Quebec City, says it is superior to steel for many purposes. He had experimented at intervals for thirty years.