1857 - Earliest predecessor company, Saucona Iron Company, is formed in South Bethlehem, Pa.

1861 - Name of company is changed to Bethlehem Iron Company.

1863 - Company produces first iron railroad rails.

1873 - Company produces first Bessemer steel railroad rails.

1886 - Facilities are added to produce heavy forgings and armor plate for the U.S. Navy.

1899 - Bethlehem Steel Company is formed. Eugene G. Grace joins Bethlehem after graduating from Lehigh University.

1901 - Charles M. Schwab is instrumental in formation of U.S. Steel Corporation and is named its first president.

1903 - C.M. Schwab resigns from U.S. Steel.

1904 - C.M. Schwab forms Bethlehem Steel Corporation, becoming president and chairman of the board.

Facilities include steel plant in South Bethlehem, iron mines in Cuba and shipyards on East and West Coasts.

1908 - Bethlehem's new Grey rolling mill begins production of the nation's first wide-flange structural section, which revolutionizes building construction and makes possible the age of the skyscraper.

1913 - Bethlehem acquires Fore River Shipbuilding Co. in Quincy, Mass., and becomes a major shipbuilder.

1914 - At beginning of World War I, Bethlehem has annual steelmaking capacity of 1.1 million tons and employs 15,600 people. During the war, Bethlehem produces vast amounts of ships, armor, ordnance, guns and munitions for the U.S. and Allied forces.

1916 - E.G. Grace named president of Bethlehem with C.M. Schwab continuing as chairman of the board.

Bethlehem acquires American Iron & Steel Mfg. Co., Pennsylvania Steel Co. and Maryland Steel Co. with steel operations in Lebanon and Steelton, Pa., and Sparrows Point, Md., coal mines in West Virginia and iron ore mines in Pennsylvania.

1922 - Bethlehem acquires Lackawanna Steel Co. with steel operations in Lackawanna, N.Y., and iron ore mines in the Great Lakes region.

1925 - Bethlehem's steelmaking capacity grows to 8.5 million tons a year and employment to more than 60,000.