Employment
During the last two decades as western nations regrouped their economies, it became increasingly evident that the traditional huge “ smoke stack” industries were inefficient , if not outdated. The American metallurgical industry (steel mills, foundries and forging, operations ) was reduced to half its postwar strength. The heart of U.S. economy, a region that ran through New York, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Appalachia, often referred to as the “Rust Belt” laid off millions of workers as auto plants, steel fabricators, durable goods producers and heavy machinery industries closed their door.