Germany – The Episodic Table of Elements

43. Technetium: Naturally Synthetic

August 12, 2019

6:00 am

Leave a comment on 43. Technetium: Naturally Synthetic

Carlo Perrier, Dmitri Mendeleev, Emilio Segre, Ernest Lawrence, Etymology, Fission, Gabon, Germany, Ida Tacke, Italy, Medicine, Nuclear Power, Oklo, Otto Berg, Particle Accelerators, Synthetic Elements, Walter Noddack

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

It’s only after we gave up searching for this element that we found it out in the universe.

Continue reading “43. Technetium: Naturally Synthetic” →

42. Molybdenum: Conventional Weapons

July 29, 2019

6:00 am

2 Comments on 42. Molybdenum: Conventional Weapons

Carl Wilhelm Scheele, Constantinople, Fortifications, France, Germany, Gunpowder, Japan, Mehmed II, Middle Ages, Mining, Turkey, Weaponry, World War I

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Before we talk about one big gun, let’s discuss 1,500 years of military technology.

Continue reading “42. Molybdenum: Conventional Weapons” →

32. Germanium: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

February 25, 2019

6:00 am

4 Comments on 32. Germanium: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Bell Labs, Clemens Winkler, Computers, Dmitri Mendeleev, Electronics, Germany, Jack Kilby, John Bardeen, Texas Instruments, Walter Brattain, William Shockley

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Silicon gets all the press, but germanium was the real trailblazer of the Information Age.

Continue reading “32. Germanium: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” →

15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

June 11, 2018

6:00 am

Leave a comment on 15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Continue reading “15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil” →