Pliny the Elder

Video: The alchemy of glass, plus other facts and musings about this versatile material

By Faye Oney / August 30, 2017

This video, created by the European Glass Container Federation, illustrates the many technological advances in glass over time—and the significant contributions this versatile material has made to improve our world.

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High-tech methods confirm Pliny the Elder’s observations and reveal new insights into strength of Roman concrete

By April Gocha / July 31, 2017

An international group of scientists recently found that the key to the strength of ancient Roman concrete is the presence of aluminous tobermorite, a mineral that slowly forms within voids and prevents cracks from traversing through the concrete.

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