The Modern Miracle of Cheap Aluminum Foil

Reason ^ | January 4, 2023 | STEVEN GREENHUT

[Fido969]

Foil used to be made out of tin, but was replaced with aluminum.

Same reason there are no “tin cans” anymore.

[GOPJ]

These are results of a relatively free society and relatively free trade. They stem from human ingenuity—and that much-maligned profit motive. If it weren't for the chance to profit, no one would take the time to sew together a seat or ship it across the globe. I wouldn't have written this piece. We'd be living lives that are "nasty, brutish and short," as Thomas Hobbes wrote in "Leviathan."

Excellent post - thanks for sharing.

[DoodleBob]

You’re welcome.

I, Pencil, is genius.

[Chad C. Mulligan]

Article said nothing about why aluminum foil is such a miracle. And it barely even acknowledges the endless contributions that engineers have made to modern life.

But as my Dad said: “It’s a fascinating profession, but you’ll never have cocktail party conversation”.

[jonrick46]

Nothing beats foil wrapped wild Sockeye Salmon with olive oil, lemon juice and Pike Place “Our Own Rub.” In the BBQ I poke a few slashes on the top to take in the smoke from the apple wood over the only burner I have on, at the right. A wireless temperature probe through the thickest part monitors for a perfect 125 degrees.

[GOPJ]

Your Dad is right - but that said, it’s engineers that make the world magical...

[al baby]

I prefer Velastat

[Mears]

I find that chicken dry…prefer bone and skin on chicken breast. .

…..

[cyclotic]

I reference I, Pencil for all kinds of examples.

Command economy failures, supply chain complexities etc.

[ifinnegan]

Good article. People are clueless, especially, leftists, progressives, anti-colonialists etc…

They think it’s magic.

[ifinnegan]

British say aluminimuminiminumnn

[Mears]

Tin pan alley is still around though .

…

[Chicory]

😅

[Chicory]

I make it moist by coating it with olive oil before putting it in the oven—along with any spices— and not over cooking it.

It took me a long time to learn not to overcook chicken...

[clearcarbon]

"The Modern Miracle of Cheap Aluminum Foil"

[Chad C. Mulligan]

Good article. People are clueless, especially, leftists, progressives, anti-colonialists etc…

They think it’s magic.

================================================

No kidding. Years ago I knew a woman who had graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, but she told me that she believed electricity was only a low form of magic. She was quite serious.

Was it Heinlein who formulated the dictum about advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic?

[ifinnegan]

And I didn’t even mean it literally.

[Allegra]

I was born in 1967 and I still say “tin foil.” Probably imitating my parents because there was “tin foil” before the aluminum kind that we all take for granted. I haven’t researched the history but I’m guessing that’s why.

My dad called it “tin foil” and my mom called it “aluminum foil.” So, I come from a mixed family. 😄

I think my dad called it “tin foil” just to bug my mom. They truly were best friends.

[P.O.E.]

And your grandparents were right.

About a lot of things

Including passing along a work ethic, perspective on life, and some awesome recipes.

[imardmd1]

For material abundance, capitalism at the top, communism at the bottom.