Holding on to Steel: Pittsburgh Culture in the Age of Globalization

In the first half of the twentieth century, Pittsburgh stood at the crossroads of relentless work, immense industrial output, and immigrant culture. The city became notorious for immense steel output. Gone are the days of Pittsburgh as ‘hell with the lid taken off’, as the downfall of the steel industry made way for a post-industrial region now largely defined by the service sector. Many factors combined to bring about the decline of heavy industry in and around Pittsburgh, one of which was the process of globalization, found in increased competition abroad and the demand for technological improvements in steel manufacturing. Economic transformation and social dislocation resulted. Globalization triggered a drastic economic episode, which had lasting effects on Pittsburgh culture. The decline of industry in Pittsburgh in the 1980s altered the commercial makeup of the region, which spurred greater attention to industrial cultural markers. This paper argues that the downfall of industry eroded the foundational symbols on which Pittsburgh culture formed, leading to active attempts to preserve many of them.