? Back to Blast from the Past
| SIR HUMPHREY DAVY Born: in Penzance, on Dec 17, 1778 Died: May 29, 1829 in Geneva He investigated gases; preparing and inhaling nitrous oxide (laughing gas), Davy discovered a number of chemical elements - including sodium and potassium in 1807 - and investigated chlorine and its oxides. Through electrolysis, he eventually discovered magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium in 1808.He was Knighted in 1812, and he received special dispensation from Napoleon to travel across France from 1813 to 1815, during which time he discovered 'X' - later called iodine. Davy's most important investigations were devoted to electrochemistry. He found that when he passed electrical current through some substances, these substances decomposed, (a process later called electrolysis). Davy separated the candle flame - which helped to light the miner's way (in the coal mines of Newcastle) from methane gas, and his lamp later became widely used, and known as the Davy lamp Links: Biography Timeline Extensive Timeline BBC Discoveries & Inventions Famous Quotes: "The most important of my discoveries have been suggested to me by my failures.? "Language is not only the vehicle of thought, it is a great and efficient instrument in thinking." "Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort." |
