#usesofcopper

While gold and silver are irrefutably the most well-known of the 95 metals in the Periodic Table of Elements, to metallurgists and metal connoisseurs, they are nothing out of the ordinary. The real icon in the world of metals is copper, and for a number of good reasons.

1.    Copper is believed to be the first metal humans discovered, dating back to 10,000 years ago. Even before rulers of the first empires wore golden crowns and accessories, copper was already widely utilized for cookware, work tools, and fittings.

2.    It is chockfull of properties that are useful for a vast array of structural and decorative applications.

3.    It’s more abundant than the majority of non-ferrous metals.

4.    It’s easy to combine with other metals to form alloys, thereby allowing the creation of new, expedient materials.

Copper production is so immense an industry that it is often used as a basis for determining the state of global trade.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, every American born in 2008 will use about 1,309 pounds of copper throughout their lifetime for necessities, lifestyles, and health. Despite the many uses of copper and its obviously critical role in everyday life, very few can be bothered to learn a thing or two about copper. Chances are the only copper most people know of are old coins and plumbing fixtures. Some don’t even know that the electrical wires crisscrossing their home are made of copper, too. Here’s to fill you in with other interesting facts about copper before you decide using it for your projects. 

Discovery and Development