Use of nickel (as a natural meteoric nickelâiron alloy) has been traced as far back as 3500 BCE. Nickel was first isolated and classified as a chemical element in 1751 by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, who initially mistook the ore for a copper mineral.
One of the most powerful bankers of his era, J.P. (John Pierpont) Morgan (1837-1913) financed railroads and helped organize U.S. Steel, General Electric and other major corporations.
The firm jointly leads the first âcenturyâ bond for a sovereign borrower â a 100-year, $100 million issue for the Peopleâs Republic of China. 1990: J.P. Morgan plays an active role in the negotiations with Mexico to restructure nearly $50 billion in medium- and long-term commercial bank debt. A first in the market, the new bonds become known as Brady Bonds. 1989: J.P. Morgan ranks among Fortuneâs 50 Best Companies for Minorities.