Bismuth
Bismuto (Bi, Z=83)
- Date
- 1753 · confidence medium
- Place
- Paris, France
- Credited to
- Claude François Geoffroy
- People
- 👤 Claude François Geoffroy1729–1753
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Known to miners and alchemists since the 15th century and confused with lead and tin, Geoffroy showed in 1753 that it was a distinct metal.
The isotope Bi-209 was found to be radioactive in 2003, with an enormous half-life.
What it led to
- Fusible alloys for fuses and sprinklers
- Gastric drugs (bismuth subsalicylate)
- Non-toxic substitute for lead
Built on
- Saxon mining
- Agricola and Basil Valentine
Made possible
- Wood's alloy
- Pepto-Bismol