ABACORP: Best Performer in a Supporting Role

Glitter. Glamour. Tinseltown. The world’s biggest and most prominent stage. Every spring, people around the globe are witness to the iconic red carpet, breathtaking designer gowns and Oscar, the most recognizable award on the planet.

But have you ever wondered about the background of this little statuette, or how it’s actually produced? We did a little research and discovered that just like producing something as renowned as Oscar, the parts we produce at ABACORP are made with the same attention to detail and highest quality for our clients.

The very first Academy Awards banquet was held 89 years ago, on May 16, 1929. Since then, over 3,000 Oscars have been presented, with new statuettes cast every January. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Oscar is solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold. For three years during World War II, Oscars were made from painted plaster because of a metal shortage. Winners from those years were allowed to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones as soon as the shortage ended.

Oscar was designed by Cedric Gibbons, chief art director at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and sculpted by Los Angeles artist George Stanley. More than just a figure, Oscar is a knight holding a crusader's sword, standing on a reel of film. There are five spokes to represent the five original branches of the Academy (actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers). It takes three months to manufacture 50 statuettes for every ceremony.

We appreciate the history behind Oscar, and the care with which this beautiful award is crafted. Although you may or may not see our parts splashed across headlines, we are very grateful to play a supporting role to such important industries as aerospace, medical, automotive, military and technology, so that the companies we serve can shine as bright as the stars.

The Academy Awards air this Sunday evening, March 4, 2018.