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Humphry Davy, British chemist and inventor, 1802. Artist: James Gillray
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Humphry Davy, British chemist and inventor, 1802. Artist: James Gillray
Humphry Davy, British chemist and inventor, 1802. Davy (1778-1829) discovered the anaesthetic effects of laughing gas (nitrous oxide). In 1801 he was appointed lecturer at the Royal Institution, where he investigated, with his assistant Michael Faraday (1791-1867), his theory of volcanic action. Using electrolysis, Davy isolated the metals barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and strontium, as well as proving that chlorine was a chemical element. He is probably best known for his invention in 1815 of the miners safety lamp, which enabled deeper, more gaseous seams to be mined without risk of explosion. Detail from a Gillray cartoon, New Discoveries in Pneumatics, showing Davy demonstrating the effects of laughing gas to a meeting of the Royal Institution, London
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Media ID 14864826
© Oxford Science Archive / Heritage-Images
Anaesthesia Chemist Chemistry Cornish Cornwall Davy Electrolysis Gillray Humphry Humphry Davy Inventor James Gillray Lamp Lecturer Miners Lamp Miners Safety Lamp Mining Oxford Science Archive Pneumatics Pressure Pumping Royal Institution Scientist
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Humphry Davy, a renowned British chemist and inventor, in 1802. The talented artist James Gillray masterfully captures the essence of Davy's pioneering work and contributions to science. Davy, born in 1778 and passing away in 1829, made groundbreaking discoveries during his lifetime. One of his most notable achievements was uncovering the anaesthetic effects of laughing gas or nitrous oxide. Additionally, as a lecturer at the Royal Institution starting from 1801, he collaborated with his assistant Michael Faraday to study volcanic action using electrolysis. Through this process, Davy successfully isolated several metals such as barium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and strontium. Moreover, he proved that chlorine was indeed a chemical element. However impressive these accomplishments may be; it is perhaps his invention of the miners' safety lamp in 1815 that earned him widespread recognition. The miners' safety lamp revolutionized mining practices by allowing deeper excavation into gaseous seams without risking explosions. This ingenious creation undoubtedly saved countless lives within the industry. In this particular image taken from Gillray's cartoon titled "New Discoveries in Pneumatics" we witness Davy demonstrating the effects of laughing gas to an audience at the Royal Institution in London. The vibrant colors and intricate details bring this historical moment to life. Humphry Davy's legacy as a brilliant scientist and inventor continues to inspire future generations within various fields such as chemistry and medicine.
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