Coplay in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Discovery of Portland Cement
Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
1. Discovery of Portland Cement Marker
Inscription.
Discovery of Portland Cement. Saylor Cement Museum. The modern cement industry began in 1756 when John Smeaton, an English engineer succeeded in producing a hydraulic cement that would harden under water. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin, an English bricklayer, produced a new cement by burning chalk and clay at much higher temperatures than those used in manufacturing hydraulic cement. On hardening it resembled the limestone taken from the Isle of Portland for building purposes, and was named Portland Cement. In this country hydraulic cement had come into use with the construction of canals.
The modern cement industry began in 1756 when John Smeaton, an English engineer succeeded in producing a hydraulic cement that would harden under water. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin, an English bricklayer, produced a new cement by burning chalk and clay at much higher temperatures than those used in manufacturing hydraulic cement. On hardening it resembled the limestone taken from the Isle of Portland for building purposes, and was named Portland Cement. In this country hydraulic cement had come into use with the construction of canals.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1756.
Location. 40° 40.61′ N, 75° 29.771′ W. Marker is in Coplay, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker is on North 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 245 North 2nd Street, Coplay PA 18037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
4. Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
5. First Cement Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.