Lloyd M. Pidgeon - Magnesium pioneer

Lloyd Montgomery Pidgeon was an unusual man in an unusual time. His contributions to the development of the magnesium industry have never been appreciated (or even known) by many of today's magnesium followers. Dr. Pidgeon, working with one technical graduate, achieved commercial development of a process to produce magnesium by reducing calcined dolomite with ferrosilicon, i.e. the silicothermic process. He also received patents for electrolytic magnesium processes. He worked with engineers to design and build six magnesium production plants in a very short period of time. The original plant at Haley, Ontario is still operating. Dr. Pidgeon received many technical honors, but was always quick-witted, with a humorous approach to life.