Chips on a Sandwich | no. 33 | INCREDIBLE COPPER
Atomic symbol: Cu, Atomic number: 29
IT'S ANCIENT: Copper (found in volcanic rock) was the first metal humans worked with-- that was about 11,000 years ago. They made tools and weapons. Fast forward to the Bronze Age (3000 BC to 1200 BC) and some smarty discovered that by adding tin to copper you get bronze, which was stronger and became all the rage. Then in 1793 the new world minted its first coins made of pure copper. These primitive pennies were called large cents and were, well, larger than what we know today (and ours are also mostly made of zinc with just a thin veneer of copper). These first cents were hand-carved and featured the bust of a youthful Lady Liberty with wind swept hair. But she was deemed too "unkempt" for some (grrrr). I think she's lovely.
IT'S ESSENTIAL: Really, it is. Copper is an essential trace nutrient and we need it to make red blood cells-- but not too much-- it can be toxic in large quantities. Eat some dark leafy greens. It's also insanely good at conducting electricity which is why copper is so prevalent in things like the wiring in our homes and the circuitry in our electronics. Copper is so essential that some think it's as valuable as gold.
IT’S BADASS: Copper shows no mercy when it comes to some bacteria and viruses. Its antimicrobial properties are insane and it can kill some on contact (TBD for COVID-19) by messing with the electrical charge of an organism's cell membrane-- then, BOOM. Ancient Egyptians were privy to its powers when they observed that water stored in copper vessels was less likely to make families ill with intestinal bugs. Some hospitals have been plating commonly touched objects (like doorknobs and bed rails) with copper in the hopes to lower incidences of infection: it’s looking promising. And its even been woven into fabric to make masks in the hopes that it acts as a no BS barrier to airborne viruses (again, TBD on efficacy).
IT’S PRETTY: The Statue of Liberty wasn’t always that minty sort of green. Her copper-plated outsides were once reddish-brown until she fully oxidized (copper does that) in 1920– 34 years after her unveiling. If you’d like to go down the rabbit hole of copper cookware then I suggest this great Serious Eats article. My takeaway: it's not essential (in this instance) but it's really handsome (and expensive). Finally, I came across this copper jewelry and am smitten with a piece or two. (The jeweler suggests polishing copper jewelry with ketchup which is unexpected.)
