The use of cement in one of the other form dates back to ancient
times. The Egyptians used a form of cement made from gypsum to build their
pyramids. Greeks and Romans used a form of cement made from lime and volcanic
ash.
Joseph Aspdin, a bricklayer from Leeds, England, patented Portland cement In 1824, which he named after the color of the stone quarried on the Isle of Portland.
Portland cement is made by heating a mixture of limestone and clay in a kiln to
form a material called clinker, which is then ground into a fine powder and
mixed with gypsum to make cement. However, the modern production of cement
began in the early 19th century.
Aspdin's invention quickly gained popularity, and by the late 19th century, cement
production had become a major industry. The development of the rotary kiln in
the 1890s made the production of cement more efficient and led to the mass
production of cement.
Today, cement is one of the most widely used building materials in the world, used in
the construction of construction and other infrastructure projects.
The production of cement is a major contributor to greenhouse
gas emissions, accounting for around 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions. As
a result, there is ongoing research into more sustainable forms of cement
production, such as the use of alternative fuels and the development of new
types of cement that produce fewer emissions.
