FORGED FACES

Making steel is the melting together of many unique elements, forged under heat and pressure to make one unified entity that surpasses all others in strength, toughness, and longevity. And that’s just the people who make the steel. . .

Forged Faces is a photography series highlighting today’s American Steel Workers. Portraits of workers from Finkl Steel in Chicago, Illinois, Forged Faces is an homage to the men and women who do the work that is vital to this country and keeps its’ industries running.

The American Steel Worker is not what you might think. It is husband and wife, father and son, Veterans, brothers, and a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds and diversity. The truth is, the American Steel Worker is just that. . . a picture of America. An America that still exists after all these years, relentlessly moving forward while forging a stronger future.

See Where The Faces Are Forged.

Finkl Steel

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Meet Mr. Morris

In 1968, after serving in the Army in the Vietnam War, Mr. Morris was honorably discharged and took a Tuesday flight from Vietnam to Chicago. On Thursday of that week, he applied for a job at Finkl Steel and was hired on the spot and started working that day. Mr. Morris, who worked his way up to lead some of the most important jobs in the forge shop, still proudly works at Finkl Steel to this day.

Mr. Morris is one of countless stories of success and legacy that started at Finkl Steel and many other steel mills across this country. His role and story are part of the critical fabric in the tapestry of this country.

Learn more about Finkl Steel