During the 1920s, arc welding was applied for fabrication of heavy wall-pressure vessels and buildings.
In Canada, a 500 foot long, three span bridge having an all-welded construction was erected in Toronto
in 1923. However, widespread use of arc welding had to wait until 1927 when an extrusion process to
economically apply covering to the electrode was developed. For welding stainless steel, electrode
coverings that reduced the amount of hydrogen in the weld metal or that contained more easily ionized
ingredients for arc stabilization were developed soon after.