Paul Héroult was a French engineer and inventor, best known for developing the Héroult process in 1886. This method revolutionized the production of aluminum by using electrolysis to extract aluminum from its ore, bauxite. His innovation significantly lowered the cost of aluminum production, making it more accessible for various applications. In addition to his work on aluminum, Héroult contributed to the field of metallurgy and was involved in the establishment of the Aluminum Company of America. His contributions laid the groundwork for the modern aluminum industry, which has become essential in construction, transportation, and packaging.