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Concrete, concrete everywhere ... but why do we use it for fences? The history behind the Valley's architectural block
FromValley 101
Concrete, concrete everywhere ... but why do we use it for fences? The history behind the Valley's architectural block
FromValley 101
ratings:
Length:
15 minutes
Released:
Jun 15, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
There's a chance that the concrete fence in your backyard could be partially made out of materials from volcanoes.
In 1944, three Arizonans invented a new type of concrete block, the Superlite block. The key material in Superlite is volcanic scoria, which is essentially cooled volcanic magma. In this case, it's mined in Winona, AZ.
The Superlite block allowed Phoenix to grow at an exponential rate after World War II. It was light, soundproof, fire proof and it could hold up to our summers. By 1955, Superlite was used in the construction of 75% of new buildings in the Valley.
And it's still used a building material today, including in our fences.
To read Taz Khatri's Modern Phoenix blog post on this subject, click here.
In 1944, three Arizonans invented a new type of concrete block, the Superlite block. The key material in Superlite is volcanic scoria, which is essentially cooled volcanic magma. In this case, it's mined in Winona, AZ.
The Superlite block allowed Phoenix to grow at an exponential rate after World War II. It was light, soundproof, fire proof and it could hold up to our summers. By 1955, Superlite was used in the construction of 75% of new buildings in the Valley.
And it's still used a building material today, including in our fences.
To read Taz Khatri's Modern Phoenix blog post on this subject, click here.
Released:
Jun 15, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
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