On this day in 1824, Joseph Aspdin patents Portland cement.

Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around the world.

It is a fine powder, produced by heating limestone and clay minerals in a kiln to form clinker, and then grinding the clinker with the addition of several percent (often around 5%) gypsum.

Several types of portland cement are available. The most common, historically called ordinary portland cement (OPC), is grey, but white portland cement is also available.

Its name is derived from its resemblance to Portland stone which is quarried on the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England.