Editing Lüdenscheid (section)

==Economy==
Lüdenscheid is a predominantly industrial city with small and medium-sized firms in the metal and [[plastics industry]]. The largest company employs 2,000 people in Lüdenscheid, with other firms employing 800 people or less.

The economic importance came to the fore in the [[Middle Ages]], when the city became a centre for metal ore mining in the surrounding area, through the ([[osmond process|"osemund"/osmond iron]]). The ore was processed by the hammers and wire drawers of Lüdenscheid, serviced by water power in the surrounding valleys.  A number of artisanal smitheries in Lüdenscheid made finished products out of those materials.  In order to market these products to a wider area, Lüdenscheid joined the [[Hanseatic League]].

With the emergence of the industrial age, the production of buttons and buckles played a large role, reflected in the Button Museum. Later, new materials like aluminium, bakelite, and plastics were adopted. A supporting industry producing the forms for the stamping, blanking, pressing and casting emerged and still plays an important part in Lüdenscheid's industry.

Production of parts of the auto industry and of fittings for electrical installations play an important role as well as continuous casting of aluminium profiles. Products notable to end consumers are lamps and lighting systems and toys.