Overview

• The Crystal Palace, built in 1851, was the first known building to use standardized screw threads, specifically British Standard Whitworth (BSW).
• This standardization allowed for the rapid assembly of 30,000 nuts and bolts, crucial for the building's quick completion.
• Prior to Joseph Whitworth's invention, screws and bolts were unique, making replacements difficult and slowing construction.
• The Crystal Palace was dismantled in 1854 and rebuilt in Sydenham, south London, where it stood until a fire destroyed it in 1936.
• The discovery was made by analyzing remnants of the building and nearby water tower, confirming the use of BSW threads.