Edward G. Acheson House
Encyclopedia
The Edward G. Acheson House is a house at 908 Main St. in Monongahela
, in Washington County
, Pennsylvania
in the United States
.
According to the National Park Service, "From 1890 to 1895 this brick house was the home of scientist Edward G. Acheson (1856–1931). In all probability it is also the site where, in 1891, he conducted experiments that led to his invention of carborundum
, his name for silicon carbide. A mixture of clay and powdered coke, fused by means of an electrical current, Carborundum was then—and for fifty years remained—the hardest known artificial substance in the world. It has been used in countless industrial processes, primarily as an abrasive, over the years. Acheson's achievements are all the more remarkable in that he was self-educated and worked independently."
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1976.
It is designated as a historic residential landmark/farmstead by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation
.
Monongahela, Pennsylvania
Monongahela, colloquially called "Mon City," is a Third Class City in Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area, located approximately south of the city proper. The population was 4,761 at the 2000 census...
, in Washington County
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
According to the National Park Service, "From 1890 to 1895 this brick house was the home of scientist Edward G. Acheson (1856–1931). In all probability it is also the site where, in 1891, he conducted experiments that led to his invention of carborundum
Silicon carbide
Silicon carbide , also known as carborundum, is a compound of silicon and carbon with chemical formula SiC. It occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. Silicon carbide powder has been mass-produced since 1893 for use as an abrasive...
, his name for silicon carbide. A mixture of clay and powdered coke, fused by means of an electrical current, Carborundum was then—and for fifty years remained—the hardest known artificial substance in the world. It has been used in countless industrial processes, primarily as an abrasive, over the years. Acheson's achievements are all the more remarkable in that he was self-educated and worked independently."
It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1976.
It is designated as a historic residential landmark/farmstead by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation
Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation
Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation is a non-profit educational institution in Washington, Pennsylvania. Its purpose is to encourage and assist the preservation of historic structures in Washington County, Pennsylvania...
.