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Cement Silo
Portland cement silos in Washington, USA. Portland cement was a fast-setting cement invented in 1824 by the Yorkshireman Joseph Aspdin (1778-1859). Aspdin created the cement through experimentation when he discovered that a heated mixture of limestone and clay could be cooled and powdered. When water was added to the powder, the concrete set very quickly. He named it "Portland' in reference to the esteemed stone of that name from Dorset. Portland cement was exceptionally strong and so became popular with builders and construction companies worldwide.