Podcast – The Episodic Table of Elements

15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

June 11, 2018

6:00 am

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Adenosine Triphosphate, Alchemy, Allotropes, Annie Besant, Biology, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Colonialism, Cosmetics, England, Germany, Guano, Hennig Brand, Illumination, Labor, Matches, World War II

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The history of phosphorus is largely a tale of people getting their hands dirty. Very, very dirty.

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14. Silicon: Tool Of All Trades

May 28, 2018

6:00 am

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Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Atomic Bonding, Biology, Computers, Electronics, Galileo Galilei, Glass, Isaac Newton, Italy, Prehistory, Rome, Science Fiction

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From prehistoric times right through today, our hand-held tools have been made of silicon.

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13. Aluminium: War Of The Words

May 14, 2018

6:00 am

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Charles Martin Hall, Dioscorides, Egypt, Etymology, George Washington, Humphry Davy, Japan, Recycling, Science Fiction, Space Exploration, Washington DC

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Listen to some of the pointless arguments caused by element 13, and take a look at the argument-filled history of one sharp aluminum point. Continue reading “13. Aluminium: War Of The Words” →

12. Magnesium: White Light/White Heat

April 30, 2018

6:00 am

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Acids & Bases, Automobiles, Electrolysis, England, France, Humphry Davy, Illumination, Oxidation, Photography, Salts

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Magnesium makes for quite a fireworks display, whether inside your body or out.

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