Dmitri Mendeleev's business card and Ernest Rutherford's potato masher | Brady Haran

disarms mundane objects in the archives of the Royal Society to remember the human side of respected scientists of the past

Dmitri Mendeleev status almost as a god in the pantheon of science. Many people probably imagine the creator of the first version of the periodic table as a bearded genius bent over papers and textbooks.

In his native Russia, the legend is if anything even greater. It is the periodic table is widely known as "periodic table" and her image was immortalized in everything from stamps to statues.

Mendeleev's no doubt on the scientific aspects of the A list, despite being rejected by the famous Nobel committee in 1900. But like all great figures of history, we sometimes get to see beyond the legend. We hear a story or a vision of an object that betrays a comfortable level of normality.

For Mendeleev, such a thing exists in the archives of the Royal Society in London. It is contained in this envelope, decorated addressed to "Professor Thorpe" in the London offices of the company. The issue joined Russia in 1901.

The envelope was mailed to Thorpe by Mendeleev himself. In two parts so mundane that could deflate even more starstruck chemicals:. Two cards

seems the same man who "invented" the periodic table are presented with a map.

card is in perfect condition, the chemical name written in the traditional "Mendeleev". He is identified as a retired professor from the University of St. Petersburg, and includes an address.

• But Mendeleyev scribbled and signed in the second card. Apparently, the famous Russia sent the letter to the Royal Society as a favor to a man named Dr. Duncan.
• gasoline card has become a cover letter to a scientist, wishing presumably secondary to open the doors to the Royal Society sacred. Imagine the name of Mendeleev would grease the wheels.

The card is elegant, as befits a renowned scientist in the twilight of his career.

We made a short film about it for our periodic table of the video series. Professor Martyn Poliakoff, a Russian-born British chemist, was clearly excited by it. "I think it's fantastic," he says. "This is the closest we can come to Mendeleev."

Professor Poliakoff also had evidence of interaction between scientists of the age -. A tangible sign of international collaboration between researchers, long before e-mail and teleconferencing
Mendeleev

Find best price for : --Dmitri----Haran----Ernest----Thorpe----Society----Nobel----Mendeleev----Royal--