Charles Martin Hall’s 1886 Breakthrough Made Aluminum Affordable for All
On this day, we celebrate a remarkable breakthrough that took place 140 years ago when American inventor Charles Martin Hall utilized electrolysis to extract aluminum from aluminum oxide. This innovative process dramatically lowered the price of aluminum by a staggering factor of 200, making it accessible for a wide range of practical applications—from the aluminum cans we use today to the historic Wright Flyer. Once thought to be mere grains of dirt by medieval alchemists, aluminum has now become a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, with its production surpassing that of all other non-ferrous metals combined. The fascinating history of aluminum












