The making of over 50 statuettes for the winners of the Academy Awards demands a lot of attention and effort from the workers at Chicago's R.S. Owens and Co.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the first step in the development process involves the melting and molding of proprietary Britannia pewter alloy.
Next, the statuettes are removed from the molds and allowed to cool, deburred by hand and given a polish before being engraved with a serial number on its reel, which it stands on, and back.
Then, the Oscars are electroplated with copper, nickel, silver and 24K gold.
After a final polish and lacquer topcoat, the statuette, which is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 8.5 pounds, is attached to its base that is made of wood or plastic and ready to be shipped to Hollywood.
