crucible

object, machine, apparatus, tool, technical instrument

A fireproof and chemically resistant vessel in which materials can be heated and smelting performed.

Johann Conrad Fischer’s manufacture of crucibles marked a milestone in the production of cast steel, because they could withstand the high temperatures (1600° C) needed to create molten steel. The crucibles in use at the time, made of fireproof clay with added graphite, were not equal to the demands. Fischer manufactured his crucibles with clay from the region of Schaffhausen, in particular from Lohn.

Traveljournal 1814

Traveljournal 1825

Traveljournal 1825–1827

Traveljournal 1845

Traveljournal 1846

Traveljournal 1851

Fischer, Johann Conrad: Tagebücher. Bearbeitet von Karl Schib. Schaffhausen 1951.
Gnade, Rudolf/Schib, Karl: Johann Conrad Fischer 1773–1854. Aus der Schriftenreihe zum hundertfünfzigjährigen Bestehen der Georg Fischer Werke. Schaffhausen 1954. S. 41, 141.

Cite as: crucible. In: Travel Reports of a Pioneer: Digital Edition of the Travel Journals of Johann Conrad Fischer 1794–1851. Published by Franziska Eggimann. Edited by Franziska Eggimann, Nicolau Lutz, Valerija Rukavina und Christopher Zoller-Blundell. Schlatt 2023, Version 1.2, https://johannconradfischer.com/en/keywords/gfa-keywords-8532, viewed on 7 June 2025.