Back Then
I wonder what it must of been like back when scientists were discovering elements that to us are very common. To have this whole wide planet before you and to kick around some rocks and sand, to stop and say, "WHOAH, wait - that sand is a little more complex than just sand" and to discover new metals and things. I have an easy time imagining how there are still species of critters to discover, aspects of things in outer space to uncover, and inner workings of quantum mechanics to unravel. But I have a hard time re-winding history in my brain to the 1700s and forgetting everything I know and to learn something new about something you see every day and took for granted and suddenly realize a thousand new uses for said elementary item.
Yes, I am reading Wikipedia entries on periodic elements. I am not a geek for nothing.
Yes, I am reading Wikipedia entries on periodic elements. I am not a geek for nothing.