Casting traces its origins to humanity’s earliest metalworking civilizations. In China, bronze casting during the Shang and Zhou dynasties reached astonishing heights—the creation of the Simuwu Ding required collaboration among hundreds of artisans using sectional mold assembly, its precision still awe-inspiring today. By the Warring States period, iron casting technology led the world, with iron tools and weapons driving leaps in productivity. Simultaneously, copper statue casting in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, alongside Europe’s medieval church bells, cemented casting’s role as a cornerstone of human civilization.
The Industrial Revolution injected new momentum into casting technology. The demand for Watt steam engine cylinders spurred cupola furnace development, while 20th-century automotive industry growth transformed sand casting from cottage workshops to mechanized standardization. Today, casting remains indispensable in aerospace, energy equipment, and smart vehicle manufacturing.