Born in the U.S. steel age in 1967, Clad Metals began as a small metallurgical company that specialised in formulating bonded metals for a variety of industries. Company founder, John Ulam, a brilliant metallurgist, realized the combination of different metals created composites that yielded superior results. He was awarded more than 50 U.S. patents for bonded metals and secured a contract with the U.S. Mint to make dimes, quarters and half dollars. He was later instrumental in the nation's conversion from solid silver coins to bonded layered metals used in coins today.