Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More Aluminum
Dec 12, 2020
Discover the fascinating journey of aluminum, once considered more valuable than gold. Explore how this elusive metal became a ubiquitous everyday essential. Delve into the pivotal advancements in production techniques that shifted aluminum from rarity to abundance. Learn about its historical significance and the profound impact it has had on society. It's a tale of transformation that changes our perspective on the materials we often take for granted.
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Aluminum's Abundance vs. Rarity
- Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust but was historically unknown as a metal to humans.
- Its extraction difficulty kept it from having an "aluminum age," unlike iron or bronze.
Aluminum More Precious Than Gold
- Napoleon III reserved aluminum plates for himself and honored guests due to its extreme rarity.
- Aluminum was more precious than gold at that time, making it a luxury item.
Breakthroughs Spark Aluminum Boom
- Breakthroughs in electricity-based extraction and chemical processing in the 1880s drastically lowered aluminum's cost.
- These innovations enabled mass production and drove a sharp price decline.