Re: Since Packard had a V-12 in the 30's....

Posted by BigKev On 2009/8/2 17:31:20

There was a episode of Modern Marvels recently on the subject of Aluminum and its uses. It was fascinating. Aluminum was considered precious in the 1800's and before due to how expensive it was to mine and process. Aluminum is not extracted in ore form like other metals, but from a special type of clay. Alcoa biggest production site is in Australia.

Aluminum was so previous it demanded prices higher that gold and platinum. It was said that Napoleon used an solid aluminum goblet to drink from, while his guests had to use lowly solid gold ones.

But the show did get into it's uses in automotive applications.