At the beginning of the 20th century, steel industry in Ural region was characterized by presence of obsolete metallurgical units and low orders for steel. During the First World War, increase in orders for steel was observed. However, modernization of enterprises was limited. Only in 1930s, large modernization of steel plants was organized. The European largest blast furnace was constructed. Large open-hearth furnaces were installed. Ural steel industry played important role during Great Patriotic war. In 1960s, basic oxygen converters and modern rolling mills were installed. In 1970s and 1980s, automation of production was performed and computer-aided systems were implemented.