Molybdenum was recognised as a separate element in 1778 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. The mineral molybdenite, a soft grey sulfide, had been confused for centuries with graphite and with lead ores, and its name comes from the Greek molybdos, meaning lead. Scheele showed that it contained a different substance, and a few years later, in 1781, his colleague Peter Jacob Hjelm succeeded in preparing the metal itself. Molybdenum has a very high melting point and strengthens steel considerably. During the First World War it was used as a substitute for tungsten in armour plate and high-speed tools, and today it is used in stainless steel, in pipelines and in catalysts. It is also an essential trace element for living organisms.
Before and after
- 14 August 1777Birth of Hans Christian Ørsted
- 11 September 1777Battle of Brandywine
- from 19 September 1777 to 17 December 1777Battles of Saratoga
- 12 December 1777Birth of Alexander I of Russia
- 1778Discovery of molybdenum
- 25 February 1778Birth of José de San Martín
- from 25 May 1778 to 30 May 1778Mount Hope Bay raids
- 30 May 1778Death of Voltaire
- from June 1778 to September 1783Anglo-French War of 1778–1783
More in Science & technology
- 1766Discovery of hydrogen
- 1772Discovery of barium
- 18 August 1868Discovery of helium
- 1875Discovery of gallium
- 1898Discovery of radium
- 1898Discovery of krypton
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.