In 1886, Charles Martin Hall discovered the only economical process to separate aluminum from its raw ore, aluminum oxide (alumina). The process, now named after him, depends upon passing an electrical current through a bath of molten cryolite (sodium aluminum fluoride) and alumina, leaving the pure aluminum behind. Over the years, improvements have been made, but aluminum smelting is still energy intensive. In 1888, Hall and others started the the Pittsburgh Reduction Company. Power Canal Years In 1897, construction of the power canal was started. The canal was to connect the St. Lawrence River above the Long Sault Rapids to the Grasse River. The hydroelectric dam was completed in 1902. The Pittsburgh Reduction Company located in Massena to take advantage of the electricity produced. It began production of aluminum on August 27, 1903. Many immigrants came to the Massena area during the power canal construction and the arrivel of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company. Originally, there were only 67 employees. The Pittsburgh Reduction Company was renamed the Aluminum Company of America in 1908.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 22:52:11 +0000