Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock commonly used for roofing, flooring, and writing surfaces due to its durability and ability to be split into thin layers. In a broader sense, it also refers to a list of candidates or proposals, as in politics or business, or the act of scheduling events; today, it's often evoked in digital contexts like wiping the slate clean to symbolize a fresh start.
Did you know?
The world's largest slate quarry, located in Bethesda, Wales, has been producing slate since the 18th century and once employed over 3,000 workers at its peak, supplying material for iconic structures like the Houses of Parliament in London—yet it's estimated that only about 10% of the slate ever extracted is still visible on the surface today.
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