The first rod my Dad gave me was a square steel one, with a knuckle buster added. Not sure what the line was, but it was heavy and stiffened up after each use. Here's a set up that I currently still have:
She's a Pflueger "Silk Kast" mounted on a tubular steel Heddon "Pal" casting rod. My grandkids get a kick out of seeing it when I pull it out. She's still in pretty decent shape too.