Fun and Interesting Facts

If you’re a history buff, you know that concrete, along with cement, have been used for thousands of years. The first concrete-like structures were built in Syria and Jordan about 6500 BC.

With proper construction and care, concrete can be fireproof, waterproof and sturdy enough to weather any storm. Best of all, it gets stronger with time. The pyramids in Egypt were built in 3,000 BC and still stand to this day.

Before going further, you need to know the differences between cement and concrete. To get concrete, you need to start out with cement. Cement is a type of bonding material that is made up of several things including chalk, slate, and clay. These materials then get processed into a dry mixture. When the mixture is activated by water, it binds everything together.

Materials in concrete include cement, water, and usually sand and rocks (also what is known as aggregate). This thick liquid is poured into a desired shape then hardened, giving you concrete.

Below is a glimpse at concrete’s use through history:

12 million years ago — Israel - spontaneous combustion created limestone and oil shale to react with each other. This created natural cement.

6500 BC — Syria and Jordan - underground tanks were built to store water.

5600 BC — Yugoslavia - concrete floors were used in homes.

3000 BC — Egypt - pyramids were built and still exist today.

3000 BC — China - Cement that contained rice was used to build the Great Wall.

200 BC to 476 AD — Italy - the Colosseum and Pantheon were built under the roman empire.

1756 - John Smeaton created hydraulic lime and repaired the Eddystone LIghthouse in Plymouth.

1824 — England - Joseph Aspdin invented Portland cement.

1875 — Port Chester, NY - William Ward built the first concrete home that is still standing today.

1889 — California - the first concrete bridge was built.

1891 — Ohio - George Bartholomew poured the first concrete street in the U.S.

1902 — Paris - Auguste Perret built an apartment building.

1904 — Cincinnati - The Ingalls Building was the first concrete high-rise at 16 stories.

1913 — Baltimore - The first delivery of ready-mix concrete takes place.

1915 — L.M. Scofield developed colored concrete.

1935 — Nevada - The Hoover Dam was completed.

1970 — Fiber reinforcement was introduced to strengthen concrete.

1999 — Sweden - HTC, a Swedish company, introduced concrete polishing to the US.

2011 — Dubai - The Burj Khalifa, the tallest reinforced concrete structure was built in the United Arab Emirates. It has 163 floors.

The history of concrete is pretty incredible. Through the years, it has been perfected, making it a beautiful addition to everything from grand architecture down to everyday living.

If you have a concrete project waiting to be done, contact B & W Custom Concrete in Buffalo, New York for your free estimate.