Aluminum
a metal discovered by Wöhler in 1827, as a gray powder, but in 1847 in the form of small, glittering metallic globules. In 1854, H. St. Clair Deville isolated aluminum into a state of almost perfect purity. He found that aluminum could be prepared in a compact form at a comparatively small expense. It is a white metal, somewhat resembling silver, but possessing bluish hue, which reminds one of zinc.
Exposed to dry or moist air, it is unalterable, and does not oxidize or tarnish like most common metals. Salt water affects it less than it does silver, tin, or copper. Neither cold nor hot water has any action upon it. When cast into molds, it is a soft metal like pure silver, and has a density of 2.56; but when hammered or rolled, it becomes as hard as iron, and its density increases to 2.67.
It is, therefore, a very light metal, being lighter than glass, and only onefourth as heavy as silver.