Solingen.

Solingen. a town of Prussia, situated 13 miles E. of Düsseldorf and not far from the river Wupper. Ever since the 12th or 13th century it has been famous for its steel and iron ware, especially for sword-blades, helmets, cuirasses, knives, scissors, surgical instruments, &c., which are exported to all parts of the world. These are made by the workmen in their own homes, and some 30,000 persons are thus employed in the district. Solingen has also iron-foundries, cigar-factories, &c. Pop. (1885) 18,641; (1895) 40,843.