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Article: Unearthing facts from the not-so-humble beginnings of aluminum and copper.(SHAKEOUT: In case you didn't know...)
- Article from:
- Modern Casting
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 American Foundry Society, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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* Although aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in Earth's crust, it is very rare in its free form and was once considered a precious metal more valuable than gold. Napolean III of France is said to have had a set of aluminum plates reserved for his finest guests, while other guests had to make do with gold ones.
* When aluminum was chosen as the material for the apex of the Washington Monument (dedicated in 1885), an ounce of the metal cost twice the daily wages of an average worker on the project.
* When aluminum first entered commercial production, much discussion was held on its proper name. Aluminum was one suggestion, but many in the ...