The Episodic Table of Elements
Latest Episodes
84. Polonium: The Distinguished Alumna Of Warsaw’s Flying University
Sadly, it's no longer possible to purchase this lethally radioactive element for fifteen cents and a cereal boxtop.
83. Bismuth: The Friendly Oddball
The periodic table shows the natural patterns and trends among the elements. Bismuth does not abide.
82. Lead: Irrational Self-Interest
We just can't seem to stop chasing the sweet, sweet taste of element 82.
81. Thallium: It Rides A Pale Horse
In which we learn how reading mystery novels might very well save a life.
80. Mercury: Fatally Toxic And Probably In Your Mouth
Even if you hate tuna, have flawless teeth, and only use digital thermometers, humans have historically not been shy about getting a mouthful of mercury.
79. Gold: Lump Sum
All other metals step aside, because today we deal with the king of elements.
78. Platinum: A Tous Les Temps, A Tous Les Peuples
Sometimes, being set in stone isn't permanent enough.
72. Hafnium: The Isomer Bomb
The science suggests hafnium can't be used to create a gamma ray bomb, but that won't stop the U.S. government from trying.
71. Lutetium: Swampland Centaurs
Let us ensure we remember the lanthanide series before we leave it behind once and for all.
70. Ytterbium: White Gold
When Johann Bottger failed to turn lead into gold, porcelain made a pretty good consolation prize.