Concrete dates back to 5,600 BC. Of course, that particular concrete wasn’t what we in Scranton would recognize today as concrete. For one thing, it used red lime as the cement that held it all together. For another, it doesn’t hold a candle to the sophisticated chemistry involved in modern concrete production.
The major development that led to the modern version of concrete was the production of Portland cement. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin of Leeds took out a patent for a mixture of clay and limestone, which had been crushed and fired in a kiln. Not only was this an immediate success, it laid the foundation (pun intended) for today’s concrete structures.
Even Thomas Edison took a whack at producing cheap, sanitary housing from cast concrete. Despite many years of effort and investing a ton of money, the idea never really caught on. Perhaps Edison’s idea was ahead of its time, or was too novel to be taken seriously.
Today’s concrete can be mixed and delivered to very exacting specifications. Reinforced concrete is a staple of bridges, buildings and other structures that need to withstand the weather, seismic events and malicious attacks. Concrete sculpture, polished concrete and even specially formulated concrete loudspeaker enclosures are just a few of the specialized applications of this ancient, man-made substance.
No matter what your need for concrete may be, there’s at least one concrete contractor in Scranton that wants to fulfill your requirements. Go to the Scranton Front Door Pages and find out if that one, special resource has taken advantage of the 21st Century’s best advertising medium — The Internet.
Posted by Vince Runza 
