Bethlehem Steel revolutionized building construction by producing the first wide flange I-beam, ushering in the era of the skyscraper. BethlehemSteel played an instrumental role in manufacturing U.S. warships and other military weapons used in World War I and later by allied forces in ultimately winning World War II. America’s manufacturing leadership thrived until the 1970s, when steel manufacturing became cheaper overseas. In 2001, Bethlehem Steel filed for bankruptcy. It became the25th American steelmaking company in the span of four years (1998-2001) to file for bankruptcy protection