In antiquity, copper's durability and resistance to rust or corrosion proved valuable.
Copper's relationship with man is thought to date back over six thousand years.
[3] Coppersmithing as a trade benefited strongly from the invention of sheet metal rollers.
Some coppersmiths will specialize in specific forms or items, such as a particular type of biscuit oven or mug or kettle.
Typical duties of a youth in the copper shop would include tasks such as breaking coke or sal ammoniac blocks, scouring copper pieces to prepare them for tinning, and polishing hammers and tools.
[5] In regions where copper is mined like Iberia and India there are a number of centers where the coppersmith trade has flourished.
Coppersmiths in recent years have turned to pipe work, not only in copper but also stainless steel and aluminium, particularly in the aircraft industry.