Steel

Rankin, Pennsylvania: Built in the 19th century as part of the Homestead Steel Works complex, the Carrie Furnaces produced up to 1,250 tons of iron per day at their peak in the 1950s and '60s.

Nothing good.

In retrospect, it's clear how globalization and free trade disrupted the U.S. steel industry. It could be happening again. Survival for steel towns might be a matter of lower expectations and good luck.

"Manufacturing is no longer just about production. Production is now the core of a much wider set of activities."

To keep tons of steel and harmful embalming fluids out of the ground—and to save money—more and more Americans are considering a natural burial after death.