The effectiveness of research on the pressure treatment of metals (and, in particular, rolling) may be assessed by comparing the outcome of specific research with general trends in knowledge accumulation within the field. Those trends are evaluated in terms of the frequency of key terms in the literature, on the basis of content analysis and web technologies. Information gathered since the mid-twentieth century is compared with the output of a research center at the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys that, over the fifty years since 1964, has developed into an innovation factory. Statistical analysis permits clear conclusions. The research center has been considerably (six years or more) ahead of the general advance of knowledge regarding the pressure treatment of metals. This analysis provides the basis for utilizing the experience already gained in newly created research organizations.