Dear Outsider,
When was the last time you went to the movies?
I recently saw Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. (Spoiler: It ends with a brutal cliffhanger that left the whole place wondering why they didn't just wrap it up.)
Anyway, I love watching movies on the silver screen.
But have you ever wondered why it's called the silver screen?
It turns out that in the 1920s (and probably even earlier), projectionists started painting screens with a silver coating to brighten the image and sharpen the contrast. In fact, silver is still used in some 3D projector screens.
It made me wonder what else silver is used in today.
It turns out, silver is used in pretty much everything.
And that's not an exaggeration.
Here's a list of products and sectors that currently use silver:
Automobiles: Silver is found in electrical contacts, switches, and connectors due to its conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It's also employed in the production of catalytic converters, which help reduce pollution.Electric vehicles: Silver-coated components improve the overall efficiency and durability of batteries, enhancing an EV's range, charging capabilities, and longevity. Not to mention, the entire EV charging infrastructure relies on silver, as the precious metal is used in charging connectors, plugs, and cables to ensure efficient and reliable power transfer during the charging process.Solar panels: Silver plays a crucial role in the production of solar panels and photovoltaic cells. It is used as a conductive material in thin-film solar cells and crystalline silicon solar cells. Its helps collect and transport electric current generated by sunlight, making it an essential component in the renewable energy sector.Smartphones: Silver is indispensable in the electronics and technology sectors. Every iPhone has silver in it. Just like with automobiles, it's used in the production of printed circuit boards, connectors, switches, and other electronic components.Water purification: Silver ions can be used to inhibit bacterial growth and kill harmful microorganisms in water filters and treatment systems, ensuring safer drinking water.Medicine: Again, silver's antimicrobial properties have long been recognized, making it valuable in medical applications. It's used in wound dressings, bandages, and medical devices to prevent infections. Silver nanoparticles are found in antibacterial coatings for catheters and surgical instruments. Additionally, silver compounds are utilized in certain medications and treatments.And that's not even an exhaustive list. However, those sectors combined globally represent over $1 trillion in market cap and it's all made possible because of silver.
It's almost as if silver is propping up the global economy...