The Oscar statuette measures 34 centimeters, has a 24-carat gold layer and weighs more than three kilos. The expected ceremony is this Sunday at 7 pm
The most important film award was awarded for the first time on May 16, 1929, when the first edition of the Oscars was held.
If you want to know more about the story behind the Oscar statuette, don’t miss the following.
The origin of the statuette
In 1928, Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) art director and founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Cedric Gibbons created the Oscar statuette.
The official name given to such recognition was ‘Academy Award of Merit’, however, later it adopted the term ‘Oscar’, when Margaret Herrick, who was the Academy’s librarian, mentioned that the figure had a similarity. to his uncle Oscar.
And although this information has not been confirmed, it is believed that the shape of the statuette is inspired by the Mexican actor and director Emilio, “El Indio” Fernández, since at that time, the Mexican actress Dolores del Río had a relationship with Gibbons and it could be she who proposed that the Mexican serve as inspiration.
In its beginnings, it was made of bronze and covered with a layer of gold, but over the years, they realized that the materials suffered certain wear, so new procedures were sought to preserve the oldest statuette in good condition. coveted in the world of cinema.
What material are the statuettes made of?
Currently, it is known that the Oscar statuette measures 34 centimeters and that its weight exceeds three kilos.
Even an article published by Epner Technology, the company that is responsible for creating the figure, points out that the effigy is made of materials used to create certain NASA instruments and that it also has a layer of 24-carat gold.
As a curious fact, you should know that since the Academy prohibited the sale of the statuette in 1950, each figure is priced at one dollar on the market.