The Cast Aluminum Cap on the Washington Monument An ASM Historical Landmark

摘要

If certain suggestions had been accepted, the builders of the Washington Monument might have placed a statue of President George Washington on top, or perhaps an open-sided house with his statue seated inside. Instead, a simple cap made of a strong, light, corrosion-resistant, and very rare metal-aluminum-was chosen to complete the monument.The cap, the largest aluminum casting of its time, was named a Historical Landmark of ASM International during ceremonies at the monument on November 15, 1984. A plaque and a replica of the cap were presented to the Washington National Monument Society and National Park Service, who have the responsibility for the perpetual care of the monument (Figs. 1-2).