December 6th, 2011
life: Did you know? — On this day in 1884, the Washington Monument was completed. It appears to be as simple and elegant a monument as you could find, but the record-breaking obelisk that dominates the Washington, D.C., skyline has a story that’s both complicated and even a little crude. Pictured: On Dec. 6, 1884, the capstone was set and topped with the biggest piece of aluminum in the world, in the form of a 100-ounce lightning rod (aluminum was then as expensive and rare as silver). Workers tend to the tip of the monument in 1930. (see more — Story of the Washington Monument)

life:

Did you know? — On this day in 1884, the Washington Monument was completed.

It appears to be as simple and elegant a monument as you could find, but the record-breaking obelisk that dominates the Washington, D.C., skyline has a story that’s both complicated and even a little crude.

Pictured: On Dec. 6, 1884, the capstone was set and topped with the biggest piece of aluminum in the world, in the form of a 100-ounce lightning rod (aluminum was then as expensive and rare as silver). Workers tend to the tip of the monument in 1930.

(see more — Story of the Washington Monument)

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  ∞10:58 am, reblogged  by luvst0ned ∩512
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