Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Summary:

          This chapter starts off with Midas, a prince whose reign was filled with gold and bronze. Even now, a diamond engagement ring is 'more special' than a gold one. The people of 3000 BC were told to not be able to tell the difference between gold and bronze and other metals with zinc in them. This caused the idea of counterfeit to arise. Counterfeit is a huge problem in the world of today because people create fake identities to become citizens to the US but also, money is counterfeited making undeserving people rich. Gold rushes are apparently not just Californian history; Australia had a gold rush where gold was able to be picked up off the ground. The use of paper money began in China and this just amazes me. European notes are so hard to counterfeit whereas counterfeit american money isn't uncommon. Last, Kean goes to explain aluminum and how it was valued more than gold. A scientist found out how to extract pure aluminum which caused the market to crash.