Crystal Palace's Rapid Construction Solved by Standardized Screws

Researchers reveal that the use of Whitworth screw threads enabled the completion of the Crystal Palace in just 190 days for the 1851 Great Exhibition.

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.