Aluminum has a long and somewhat fabled history that stretches over many centuries. Its earliest known use dates back to the ancient Mesopotamians who used aluminum compounds in ceramics around 5000 BCE. From those humble beginnings, this remarkable metal has transformed into one of the most versatile materials. Today, aluminum is fundamental to countless industries including transportation, construction, electronics, packaging, and renewable energy to name a few. Let’s take a closer look into the history and evolution of aluminum.
Hans Christian Oersted
Aluminum’s Earlier Years
The compound ALUM has been known for approximately 7,000 years. “Alum” is a Latin word that means ‘bitter salt’, referring to the crystalized double sulphates where alum is found in its natural ore state. In addition to ceramics, it was initially used for dyeing in medicine, in chemical milling, and for defense. Interestingly, it served as a fire-resistant coating for wood to protect fortresses from enemy arson.
During the “Age of Enlightenment” (1695-1815) scientists determined that ALUM was the oxide of a new metal. Aluminum was first isolated by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825 who reacted aluminum chloride (AlCl3) with potassium amalgam (an alloy of potassium and mercury).
The earlier process of refining ore into usable aluminum at scale was complex. This challenge severely limited the supply of available aluminum, making its value even greater than gold.
Napoleon III
The Napoleon III Era
France’s Emperor Napoleon III was said to be a proponent of aluminum. His goal was to produce weapons and armor from the strong lightweight metal, looking to give his soldiers a competitive edge in battle. With hopes to achieve this goal, Napoleon III funded the work of Henri Sainte-Claire Deville, who discovered a chemical method for obtaining pure aluminum.
Yet, it was still a very slow process. As legend goes, Napoleon III had become so frustrated with the lack of aluminum’s progress, that he had much of France’s stock melted down and turned into prized cutlery. Just imagine – he and his honored guests shared the privilege of using aluminum utensils at the imperial dinner table, while everyone else made do with gold!
The Beginning of the Boom
The next big step for Aluminum’s evolution came in 1845, when it was initially produced in its purest form. The first industrial production of aluminum then occurred in 1856. This feat was achieved by French chemist Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville. Aluminum would undergo its greatest leap in development three decades later. In 1886, French engineer Paul Héroult and American engineer Charles Martin Hall developed the Hall–Héroult process, which is still used to refine ALUM into aluminum today. Notably, in 1888, Hall co-founded the Pittsburgh Reduction Co. to produce aluminum. The company later became the aluminum giant Alcoa.
Charles Martin Hall
Industrial-scale production quickly increased the available supply of aluminum. It became much more accessible and affordable, allowing it to be used for many things. By the early 1890s, the metal had become widely used in jewelry, eyeglass frames, optical instruments, and many everyday items.
Other Notable Aluminum Milestones:
- 1884 – when the Washington Monument was completed, it was capped with a large casting of aluminum.
- 1893 – A statue of Anteros, Greek god of requited love, was erected on Piccadilly Circus in London. It is considered the first major work in aluminum.
- Late 1880’s – Aluminum cookware began to be produced in the late 19th century. It gradually supplanted copper and cast iron cookware in the first decades of the 20th century.
- 1903 – To reduce mass on their legendary flight, the Wright brothers’ mechanic Charles Taylor suggested using an alloy of aluminum and copper for the block of their crude four-cylinder gasoline engine. It was a novel idea to reduce their airplane’s overall weight. The 180-pound engine — 20 pounds lighter than designed, thanks to the aluminum — exceeded expectations and let the Wright Flyer take off.
- 1907 – Aluminum foil was invented.
- 1911 – Chocolatiers were one of the first groups to use this technology on an industrial scale. Theodor Tobler used foil to package his new chocolate bar, the Toblerone.
- During both World Wars, aluminum became a strategic resource crucial for military aviation, with aircraft manufacturers using the lightweight yet strong metal extensively in airframes, engine components, and other military equipment. Its unique properties allowed for faster, more fuel-efficient aircraft that gave Allied forces a significant technological advantage in aerial combat and transportation.
- 1957 – Earth’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, launched, consisted of two joined aluminum hemispheres.
- 1959 – The aluminum beverage can was introduced when beer-maker Coors became the first to use the aluminum drink can.
- 1978 – the increased demand for aluminum made it an exchange commodity as it entered the London Metal Exchange, the world’s oldest industrial metal exchange.
Aluminum Today
Aluminum has come a very long way over the last few centuries – from a relatively obscure mineral to an indispensable resource. Its transformation demonstrates significant technological advances in manufacturing and materials science. Today, aluminum is everywhere – with uses ranging from transportation and construction to electronics and packaging. It’s a true engineering marvel that quite literally shapes our modern world.