What is "bethanization"

Bethanization is a process patented by the Bethlehem Steel Company to protect steel from corrosion by plating it with zinc, a process similar to electrogalvanization. In advertising materials, Bethlehem Steel claimed the process was more effective than hot dip galvanization, the most common means of using zinc to protect steel.

In 1936, Bethlehem Steel spent $30 million (1936 dollars) to build a factory in Johnstown, Pennsylvania capable of creating large amounts of Bethanized wire.