The fatal 13

Aluminum is a part of our lives, whether we realize it or not. Every day, we use objects that contain this metal. But behind its everyday use lies a long and fascinating history filled with scientific discovery, curiosity, and perseverance. This is what inspired me to choose aluminum as my topic: it brings together history, science, innovation, and potential for the future. In my essay, I refer to aluminum as the “Fatal 13”, its position as the 13th element on the periodic table, is “fatal” in a positive sense: it shakes up science and industry, opens up new horizons, and shown us how something unknown for centuries can become an essential part of daily life. I fully support the words of Dmitri Mendeleev: “The future belongs to this metal.”