Author: Sasha
This article is original by Sasha, any media reprint is declined.
span is made of aluminum . Is ancient aluminum more expensive than gold? Sasha Q&A Episode 60
Everyone should have heard of a story. In 1860, Napoleon III invited kings and nobles to dinner.
Napoleon III prepared exquisite and unusual gold and silver tableware for these distinguished guests.
The strange thing is that Emperor Napoleon III himself used a set of aluminum cutlery, which is not surprising.
Could it be that Napoleon III took the initiative to express a simple style?
Of course not.
This set of aluminum tableware is much more expensive than the gold and silver tableware below.
Interestingly, Napoleon III used aluminum to make a rattle for his crown prince.
Today, this kind of rattle is too shabby, even country children would not treat it as a rarity. However, in that era, it was a top luxury,There are not many in the world.
Asian kings are poorer, while the Thai king also used an aluminum bracelet, which was worn in various public occasions.
At the time, this watch chain was much more expensive than the gold chain.
famous chemist Mendeleev created the periodic table of elements , which was awarded the highest recognition by the Royal Society.
learned to give him an aluminum trophy, which is an amazing reward.
At the Paris International Exposition in 1855, a small piece of aluminum was exhibited. The label read: "Silver from clay" and placed it next to the most precious jewelry.
Even so in 1855 and 1860, let alone ancient times.
In fact, there is no shortage of aluminum in nature, and the storage capacity is very large, but they all exist in the form of compounds.
There is very little natural pure aluminum, so the price is extremely expensive.
In ancient and even modern times, it was very difficult to extract aluminum, and it was difficult for craftsmen to separate pure aluminum.
In 1825, Oster, an expert in electrical chemistry, invented a chemical method to separate metallic aluminum.
However,This separation method has many defects, resulting in low purity of aluminum.
In 1854, the French chemist Deville mixed bauxite, charcoal, and salt, and used chlorine gas heating, etc., to separate high-purity aluminum for the first time.
Even so, this is a gadget of the laboratory.
It was not until 1886 that C. M. Hall of the United States and P. Ailu of France respectively invented the electrolytic aluminum smelting method, which completely solved the aluminum problem. Overnight, aluminum ceased to be a precious metal.
By 1910, the world's aluminum production reached more than 40,000 tons, and aluminum became ubiquitous.
Therefore, it was difficult to obtain metal aluminum in ancient times, and its natural value is extremely high.
In other words, if you travel to ancient times, you only need to bring an aluminum pot cover back.
Congratulations, you have made a fortune.
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