Edward G. Acheson House facts for kids
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Edward G. Acheson House
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Edward G. Acheson House in 2011
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 908 West Main St., Monongahela, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1870 |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001679 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1976 |
| Designated NHL | May 11, 1976 |
The Edward G. Acheson House is a special old house located at 908 West Main Street in Monongahela, Pennsylvania. This house is important because it was once the home of Edward G. Acheson (1856-1931). He was a famous inventor.
It's believed that Acheson invented a super-hard material called carborundum right here. The house was probably built around 1870. In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place of great historical importance in the United States.
Contents
Discovering the Acheson House
The Edward G. Acheson House is found west of Monongahela's town center. It sits on the south side of West Main Street. The house is a 2-1/2 story building made of painted brick. It has a unique L-shape and a hip roof.
A Look at the House's Style
The house's exact builder and when it was finished are not fully known. However, its style suggests it was built around the 1870s. It's a simple, traditional building. It doesn't have a fancy architectural design.
Edward G. Acheson: The Inventor
Between 1890 and 1895, this house was where Edward G. Acheson lived. Acheson was born in nearby Washington. He didn't have much formal schooling.
Acheson's Journey to Invention
In 1880, Acheson got a job at the lab of Thomas Edison. He helped set up electricity systems. Later, in 1890, he moved to Monongahela. He worked for the local electric company there.
Acheson used extra electricity from his job to do experiments at home. In 1891, his experiments led to a big discovery. He invented carborundum, which is also known as silicon carbide.
Where Carborundum Was Born
Local stories say that Acheson did his experiments in a small kitchen. This kitchen was attached to the back of the house. In 1895, Acheson moved to Niagara Falls, New York. He went there to use the large power station. This helped him make carborundum on a much larger scale.
What is Carborundum?
Carborundum is a mix of clay and powdered coke. These materials are heated together using electric current. When Acheson invented it, carborundum was the hardest artificial substance known. It stayed the hardest for about 50 years!
How Carborundum Changed the World
This amazing material has been used in many industries. It's mainly used as an abrasive. Think of it like a super-strong sandpaper. It helps to grind, cut, and polish other materials.
Acheson's achievements are even more impressive because he taught himself. He worked independently to make these discoveries.
Recognizing a Historic Home
In 1953, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a special marker outside the house. This marker tells people about Acheson's important inventions.
Later, in 1976, the house was officially named a National Historic Landmark. It is also recognized by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation. They call it a historic residential landmark.
