 Resistance welding was also developed during the final decades of the 19th century , with the first patents going to Elihu Thomson in 1885 , who produced further advances over the next 15 years . Thermite welding was invented in 1893 , and around that time another process , oxyfuel welding , became well established . Acetylene was discovered in 1836 by Edmund Davy , but its use was not practical in welding until about 1900 , when a suitable torch was developed . At first , oxyfuel welding was one of the more popular welding methods due to its portability and relatively low cost . As the 20th century progressed , however , it fell out of favor for industrial applications . It was largely replaced with arc welding , as metal coverings ( known as flux ) for the electrode that stabilize the arc and shield the base material from impurities continued to be developed . 
