So far as is possible within the limits of a single paper, a world survey is given of the early history of metals, and particularly of the non-ferrous metals. The industrial history of mankind is divisible into two major epochs – a Stone Age and a Metal Age. Between the two main epochs there was a transition period, when metals found in their native state were employed, but were not yet melted, or extracted from their ores. The melting of copper probably preceded its extraction from minerals by some centuries, and the production of bronze or hardened copper was a later stage in metal culture. The critical event in the industrial history of man was the first melting of metal out of stone, and this appears to have occurred about 3500 BC. Metal articles fashioned at earlier periods were made from native gold, silver, or copper, or from meteoric iron. A bibliography is given, and much historical and other evidence in support of this views of the author.