Antimony
Antimonio (Sb, Z=51)
- Date
- c. 3000 BCE · confidence low
- Place
- Mesopotamia (Tello) and Egypt
- Credited to
- Unknown (antiquity)
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
The sulfide (stibnite) was used as a cosmetic (kohl) in Egypt, and Chaldean objects of metallic antimony exist; Basil Valentine/Agricola described it in the 16th century.
An element known since antiquity; the date is approximate.
What it led to
- Type-metal alloys for printing
- Flame retardants
- Semiconductors and lead-antimony batteries
Built on
- Egyptian kohl
- Alchemy
Made possible
- Lead-acid rechargeable battery1859
- Printing type
- Lead-acid battery