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Who Discovered Liquid Mercury?

No one knows for certain who initially discovered liquid mercury. Also known as quicksilver, this element was a part of beauty applications used by both the ancient Egyptians and the Romans. Other ancient civilizations used this liquid metal for cures, treatments and attempts at immortality. Tales from some of the oldest religious books describe remarkable ways to travel using mercury to power the vessels. The man credited with the modern definition of liquid mercury as a base element--Antoine Laurent-Lavoisier--lived and died during the French Revolution.

  1. Egyptians and Romans

    • The oldest recorded use of mercury was found in the tombs of the Egyptians from 3500 B.C., who mixed it with cosmetics. In a royal tomb at Kurna, archaeologists found the liquid metal sealed in a glass container. Romans also used this poisonous substance in face makeup, causing deformities after prolonged use.

    Greeks

    • Records from antiquity reveal that Greeks knew of mercury and used it in medical applications to successfully treat skin rashes. Liquid mercury was also a main ingredient in many Greek ointments. The Greek word "hydrargyros" has its roots in the Latin word "hydrargyrum," which is the basis of liquid mercury's chemical symbol, HG.

    Chinese

    • The Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang Di believed the magical properties of liquid mercury would make him immortal. Qin died of mercury poisoning from eating prescribed mercury pills and from drinking a mercury and jade mixture. Qin's 5000-year-old tomb reportedly contains a miniature river of liquid mercury.

    Hindu Sacred Flying Machine

    • Nearly 12,000 years ago, India's Hindu people wrote of sacred vehicles--vimanas--fueled by mercury that soared through the air on travels around the world.

    The Modern Discovery

    • Recognizing that liquid mercury is a natural compound, Antoine Laurent-Lavoisier is responsible for the modern understanding of liquid mercury. In 1783, Lavoisier worked on a chemical encyclopedia to standardize chemical terms and names of recognized elements, including liquid mercury.

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