with reference to fig1 the process for forming the resistance element of the present invention is illustrated . the process includes cold rolling a stock of conductive material 10 , as for example nichrome v a material comprising nickel and chrome , between two rollers 12 and 14 to form the resistance element 16 . element 16 may be conveniently stored in large rolls 18 . element 16 is formed with a curved cross - section , as illustrated in fig2 through 4 , 8 through 9 and 14 and 15 , to provide stiffness and strength . with reference to fig2 and 3 , the preferred embodiments of the curved cross - sectional configuration are illustrated in the form of a sinusoidal wave 20 having one full cycle 15 and one half cycle 17 , fig2 and two full cycles 19 and 21 and one half cycle 23 , fig3 . these configurations permit a new section of ribbon to be unwound from a roll of ribbon and attached to a section of existing ribbon without regard to whether the roll has been unwound from the top or bottom which makes assembly much easier and less time consuming . with reference to fig4 and 9 , further embodiments of the curved cross - sectional configuration are illustrated in the form of a sinusoidal wave 20 having at least one full cycle . fig4 illustrates wave 20 having two full cycles 22 and 26 . fig8 illustrates wave 20 having three full cycles 25 , 27 and 29 . fig9 illustrates wave 20 with five full cycles . the additional cycles provide greater strength . with reference to fig1 , the sixth embodiment of the curved cross - section is illustrated having a first raised section 34 which descends to an inverted rib 36 which raises to a flat substantially straight plateau 38 which then descends to a second inverted rib 40 which ends in a second raised section 42 . a seventh embodiment , illustrated in fig1 , has a first raised section or rib 28 which descends to a flat straight region 30 and ends in a second raised section or rib 32 . in fig1 , the eighth embodiment is illustrated having a flat upper surface 44 with descending sides 46 . the curved cross - section allows thinner metals to be used and reduces sagging at high temperatures . additionally , since the curved cross - section retains substantially the same configuration after being bent , the ribbed or raised sections add strength to the ribbon permitting the ribbon to rest within supports obviating the need for overlapping or for the addition of special attaching means . element 16 may be bent into various different patterns without any overlapping because of the curved cross - section . with reference to fig5 a three pass serpentine resistance element 47 is illustrated having a first pass 52 , a second pass 54 and a final pass 56 all formed from one continuous resistance element 16 . each of passes 52 , 54 and 56 is formed by bending element 16 into a series of substantially adjacent oppositely alternating u - shaped segments . each segment has a bend or curved section 51 which extends into a first leg 49 and a parallel second leg 53 . with reference to fig6 and 12 , further embodiments of the serpentine pattern are illustrated , fig6 illustrating a single pass serpentine 37 , fig1 illustrating a two - pass serpentine 39 and fig1 illustrating a four - pass serpentine 41 . it being understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of passes could be formed and any pattern could be obtained by merely bending the ribbon 16 into the desired pattern . at each end of resistance element 16 a connecting block 48 , as for example a stainless steel connecting block , is attached to interconnect element 16 with an electric power source . the connecting block 48 has an opening 50 for facilitating the connection . in the preferred embodiment , with reference to fig1 , the connecting block 48 is connected to the ends of element 16 by attaching additional one - inch - long pieces of element 64 on each side of element 16 and welding the three ribbon ends to connecting block 48 . the three ribbons are then welded together along the top and bottom edges to within one - quarter inch of the ends of the two additional pieces . this type of connection is sturdy , efficient and reduces the possibility of the welding process burning through the ribbon . referring now to fig7 in the preferred embodiment , element 16 is supported upon a lower support 62 and retained in position by an upper support 60 . support 60 and 62 are h - shaped , providing channels for element 16 to be supported therein . inserts 63 and 61 may be inserted into the wall 69 of the furnace for retaining supports 60 and 62 . the lower bend of curve 51 rests upon the surface 66 of lower support 62 which allows lateral and vertical movement and the upper bend or curve 51 is retained within upper support 60 which allows lateral and vertical movement . element 16 is supported in this manner to allow for growth expansion and to permit element 16 to slip fit in and out of the supports . by using supports 60 and 62 and due to the strength provided by the curved cross - section at the bends or curves 51 , more of element 16 is exposed which makes element 16 more efficient . also , with less contact between element 16 and supports 60 and 62 and the corresponding reduced need for ceramic , the supports do not absorb as much heat and are therefore again more efficient . a major advantage of the strengthened bends or curves 51 is the elimination of any overlapping of element 16 which extends its life because the watt per density is reduced . also slightly higher operating temperatures can be obtained because of the elimination of overlap . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing disclosure is explanatory in nature rather than limiting , the invention being limited only by the appended claims .